Breast Cancer in Rural India: Clinicopathological Patterns, Molecular Subtypes and Challenges in Resource-Limited Settings

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide and represents a growing public health challenge in India. Rural populations face unique barriers, including delayed diagnosis, limited screening facilities, and restricted access to comprehensive oncology care. This chapter presents a detailed clinicopathological and molecular analysis of breast cancer cases managed at a rural tertiary care centre in Central India over a five-year period. A retrospective evaluation of 150 histologically confirmed breast cancer patients was performed, assessing demographic characteristics, tumour pathology, molecular subtypes, staging, and treatment patterns. The mean age at diagnosis was 47.8 years, with a predominance of advanced-stage and high-grade tumours. Triple-negative breast cancer constituted 55.3% of cases, followed by the Luminal A subtype. All patients underwent surgical management, predominantly a modified radical mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were administered based on receptor status. The results demonstrate a younger age at onset, predominance of advanced-stage disease, high-grade tumours, and a high burden of triple-negative breast cancer, underscoring the urgent need for early detection strategies and improved oncology infrastructure.