AI and the Battle Against Breast Cancer in India
Empowering UPSC minds with insight into India’s pressing health challenges
📚 By Suryavanshi IAS
📌 Relevance to UPSC
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GS Paper II: Issues related to health, government schemes, health policy.
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GS Paper III: Science & Technology in health, AI and data protection.
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Essay Paper: Role of innovation in inclusive healthcare.
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Ethics: Equity in tech-enabled healthcare and medical privacy.
⚠️ Breast Cancer: A Global & Indian Public Health Emergency
🌍 Global Statistics (WHO, 2023):
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2.3 million new breast cancer cases worldwide annually.
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670,000 deaths due to breast cancer.
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1 in 6 deaths globally due to cancer.
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~50% of affected women have no known risk factors beyond being female and over 40.
🇮🇳 India’s Scenario (GLOBOCAN & ICMR, 2022–24):
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Highest number of breast cancer deaths globally: 98,337 fatalities (2022).
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Over 2.5 lakh new cases annually; projected to reach 4.25 lakh/year by 2040 (IARC).
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Mortality-to-incidence ratio: 51.6% — one of the highest globally (vs 19% in high-income countries).
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Urban-rural gap: Late-stage diagnosis in >70% of rural women vs ~50% in urban areas.
🧠 Understanding the Challenges
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Late Detection: 60–70% cases diagnosed in Stage III or IV.
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Poor Awareness: Only 42% of Indian women are breast self-examination aware.
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Infrastructure Gaps: India has only ~2,000 mammography units for over 68 crore women (15–70 age group).
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Manpower Crisis: Radiologist-to-population ratio is 1:100,000. WHO recommends 1:10,000.
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Affordability: Urban mammograms cost ₹1,000–₹3,000, out of reach for BPL families.
🤖 Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Early Detection
Key Uses:
| AI Tool | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Niramai (AI thermal screening) | Uses thermal imaging + ML | Detects tumours 5 years earlier than palpation |
| iBreastExam | Portable handheld scanner + AI | Reduces screening time to 5–10 minutes |
| MammoAssist | AI-backed mammogram analysis | Improves detection rate by up to 20% |
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A UK trial showed AI catching 20% more cancers with no increase in false positives.
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AI in IVF has enabled cases like the Columbia Fertility STAR project, where AI identified sperm in azoospermic samples.
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AI-powered fetal monitoring in India has shown 82% reduction in stillbirths (Fortis study, 2023).
🏛️ Government Initiatives & Gaps
Existing Framework:
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NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD & Stroke)
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AB-HWC (Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres) aim to screen 30 crore people annually.
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Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission (PM-DHM): Promotes digital records for seamless AI application.
Gaps to Address:
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<20% PHCs equipped with cancer screening tools.
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Limited training on AI-enabled diagnostic interpretation among rural healthcare workers.
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No dedicated regulatory policy on AI use in cancer care (as of 2025).
🔐 Ethics, Equity & Privacy in AI Health Tech
| Challenge | Concern |
|---|---|
| Bias in AI models | Most models trained on Western datasets – poor Indian applicability. |
| Data Privacy | No comprehensive health data protection law yet (Digital Personal Data Protection Act only partially addresses medical AI). |
| Consent & Transparency | Patients often unaware their data is used for algorithm training. |
| Economic Divide | AI tools cost ₹5–20 lakh — unaffordable for most small clinics/NGOs. |
📦 Recommendations for Policy Makers
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Incorporate AI tools in NPCDCS at the PHC level – pilot it in high-risk districts.
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Subsidize AI mammography devices via CSR + health startups under Startup India.
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Train rural radiologists & ASHAs in using AI-enabled handheld screening devices.
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Enact AI-in-Medicine Guidelines, including ethics, accountability, and consent.
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Launch Mobile AI Screening Vans – public-private initiative targeting Tier II–III towns.
🧪 Mains Practice Question
Q. Breast cancer is becoming a major non-communicable disease burden in India. Examine how artificial intelligence can enhance early detection and treatment. Discuss the ethical and infrastructural challenges involved in integrating AI into public healthcare. (250 words)
🧠 UPSC Interview Tip:
If asked about AI in public health, cite:
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Niramai & iBreastExam
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India’s radiologist shortage
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WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative (2021–40)
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PM Digital Health Mission (PM-DHM)
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Role of mobile tech and telemedicine in reaching rural women
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