Breast cancer killed 6.94 lakh in 2024; doctor urges early screening

Breast cancer caused about 694,000 deaths worldwide in 2024 and was the most common cancer in women in 164 of 186 countries, according to WHO; around 80% of cases occur in women with no risk factors beyond sex and age. Mumbai oncosurgeon Dr Nita Nair says over 40% of Indian women are diagnosed at advanced stages and urges mammograms and regular self-examination.