Breast Cancer strikes younger women, say experts - 400 delegates from 16 states attend Breast Pathology Conference at UHSR

Rohtak, October 3, 2026: Breast cancer is emerging as a major global health challenge, with cases increasingly being reported among younger women, experts said at a two-day International Conference and Workshop on Breast Pathology organised by the Department of Pathology at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHSR), Rohtak.

Vice-Chancellor Dr H.K. Aggarwal inaugurated the conference at Sushruta Auditorium and released its souvenir. He said accurate pathology diagnosis was crucial as treatment decisions by surgeons and oncologists were based on pathology reports.

“In breast pathology, diagnosis is care. Even a minor error in the report can lead treatment in the wrong direction,” Dr Aggarwal said, stressing the need to translate advances in pathology into better patient care.

He said the conference provided an opportunity for postgraduate students and doctors to discuss difficult cases and learn from experts. He thanked international faculty members Dr Kamaljit Singh, Professor at Brown University, USA, and Dr Vidu Kaushik for participating in the academic programme.

Conference organising chairperson and Head of Pathology Dr Sunita Singh said the event focused on advanced techniques, slide-based learning and diagnostic challenges in breast pathology. The Haryana Medical Council has awarded eight credit hours for the conference.

Organising Secretary Dr Sanjay Kumar said around 400 delegates from nearly 50 medical colleges across 16 states were participating. He said breast cancer, earlier more commonly seen after the age of 45–50, was now increasingly being detected among women aged 25–35.

Experts discussed factors including delayed marriage and motherhood, reduced breastfeeding, obesity, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, stress, hormonal imbalance and family history of cancer. Lack of awareness often leads younger women to ignore breast lumps, resulting in delayed diagnosis, he said.

Dr Kumar said pathology played a critical role in determining tumour size, grade and hormone-receptor status, which guide treatment decisions.

Senior faculty members, resident doctors and officials, including Dean Academic Affairs Dr M.G. Vashisht, Medical Superintendent Dr Sudhir Atri, Haryana Medical Council representatives Dr Mandeep Sachdeva and Dr Nisha Marwah, Principal PGIDS Dr Manu Rathi, and In Charge PR Dr Manjunath B.C. attended the inaugural session.