Health Literacy and Breast Cancer among Indian Women: A Study of under-privileged women of New Delhi

Abstract

As per recent statistical observations, breast cancer accounts for approximately 28.2 percent of the total cancer cases in females in our country (American Cancer Society, 6th January 2024). It has overtaken cervical cancer to become the most widespread cancer type in the subcontinent. Despite the Breast Cancer Population Screening Programme implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, only 1.6 percent of women in the 30–69 age group have undergone screening (Health World, 2024- an associate branch of The Economic Times). These figures highlight a severe gap in early detection efforts.
As per recent research findings, a considerable number of deaths and severe cases of breast cancer are reported by underprivileged women of poor households in India. This is due to a lack of knowledge and awareness. Women often ignore the symptoms of breast cancer due to the pressure of being ideal housewives and perfect mothers, which restricts them from focusing on their own health and well-being. The fault does not lie in the illness, but in the mindset of society. As per medical experts, chemotherapy and oncology can increase chances of survival by 15 percent in the initial stages but show no effect in the third and fourth stages. Naturally, most underprivileged women have stage four cancer and therefore their survival becomes unlikely to prevail.
This had also been observed in a study conducted by the Breast Cancer Organisation on 28th April, 2023 on the factors affecting breast cancer and its detection. Instead of funding machines and equipment for chemo, it is more practical to work towards incentivizing programmes to prevent the disease while it still can be. This can be done by increasing awareness about prevention of the disease, encouraging intake of healthy food or providing safe and clean food and water facilities in underdeveloped areas, genetic testing and counseling for all females with a family history associated with breast cancer, etc. This study will focus on the level of awareness about breast cancer amongst underprivileged women in the slum area of Pandara Road as a case study.
The research aims to highlight the knowledge and awareness gap among underprivileged women, identify key social and cultural barriers to screening, and suggest practical awareness-raising and preventive strategies that can be implemented at the community level. By targeting prevention and early detection, the findings are expected to guide more effective, socially sensitive interventions and improve survival chances for women in similar socio-economic settings.