Parsi cancer risk

The recently released findings of the Mumbai Cancer Registry, a 52-year-old unit of the Indian Cancer Society, a non-government organization, show that one in 22 women suffers from breast cancer. Parsi women are at a higher risk, while Buddhist and Jain women are relatively safe, mainly due to the difference in their lifestyle and food habits, say doctors.

Funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research and compiled over three years across 10 hospitals in the city, the study reflects a worrying trend – the incidence of breast cancer among women has risen from 27 per one lakh population in 1994 to 31 per one lakh people.

"Late marriage, lack of breast feeding and a genetic predisposition have made Parsis vulnerable,” said Dr P. Jagannath, head of oncology at Lilavati Hospital.

There is a silver lining though. Cervical cancer is no longer the big killer. "And survival in breast cancer has improved, mainly due to early detection,” said Dr Maheboob Basade, an oncologist at Jaslok Hospital in The Indian Express.

The Bombay Parsi Punchayet should constitute and fund a study group, comprising eminent Parsi doctors, well-known social workers and others, with a view to finding out how to reduce the incidence of cancer, especially that of breast cancer amongst Parsi women.

BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA