Mahavir Cancer Sansthan oncologist Manisha Singh speaks at a roundtable conference on breast cancer at the hospital on Friday. She said there has been a spurt in breast cancer cases among older women in Bihar which, she said, is a warning that the disease was being diagnosed at a more advanced stage in these women.

"It has been found that with increasing age, the breast tissue composition changes. These changes increase the risk of breast cancer, making women susceptible to more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

All women should practice regular breast self-examinations after the age of 25 and report any abnormal changes to their doctor. Evaluation after the age of 40, at least once every few years, is advisable," she added. Text by Shuchismita Chakraborty, picture by The Telegraph