According to World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer was the most common cancer in women in 157 countries out of 185 in 2022. Around 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and it caused 6,70,000 deaths globally. The numbers also paint a worrisome picture closer home. According to data from National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) – National Cancer Registry Programme, there were 2,21,579 breast cancer cases among females in India in 2023 and an estimated 82,429 deaths due to the condition. While the disease majorly affects females, approximately 0.5–1% of breast cancers occur in men. Despite the severity and mortality rate of breast cancer, timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment remains a key challenge.

Every year, October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to disseminate accurate information about the condition and raise awareness about the prevention and routine screening for early diagnosis of breast cancer.