About Dr. Vani Parmar—Surgical Oncologist, Thane | KIMS Hospitals

Dr. Vani Parmar is the head of the Department of Breast Oncosurgery & Surgical Oncology at KIMS Hospitals, Thane. With specialized expertise in breast cancer surgery and cancer surgery consultation, Dr. Parmar brings both clinical precision and genuine compassion to her patients. She is committed to improving awareness, early detection, and outcomes for women across Thane and the wider Mumbai region.

When most people hear the word "cancer," they picture someone much older. A grandparent. A retired relative. Someone in a different chapter of life entirely.

But here's the truth that I see every single day in my clinic at KIMS Hospitals, Thane: breast cancer does not wait for you to get older.

As a surgical oncologist specialising in breast cancer surgery, I have sat across from women in their twenties, thirties, and forties—women in the middle of building careers, raising children, and caring for ageing parents—who have just received a diagnosis they never saw coming. And I have had to tell them, gently but firmly, "This is real, and we need to act now."

If you are a woman living in India — in Thane, Mumbai, or anywhere across the country — this article is for you.

Why Breast Cancer in India Is Different From What You've Heard

Most of what the world knows about breast cancer comes from Western data. And in the West, it is indeed largely a disease of older women. But India tells a very different story. The average age of breast cancer diagnosis in India is just 49 years. We are seeing cases in women as young as 19 and as old as 95. But the striking reality is this: nearly 75% of Indian women are under the age of 50. We are a young country, and our cancer burden reflects that. This matters for one critical reason. Breast cancers in younger women tend to behave differently — they are often more aggressive, they grow faster, and they frequently require more intensive treatment. These are not the slow-moving cancers that can afford a "wait and watch" approach. And they are striking women at the worst possible time: when careers are being built, when children are young and need their mothers, and when life is full and busy and the idea of taking a day off feels impossible—let alone stopping to think about one's own health.

The Symptom That's Easy to Ignore (But Shouldn't Be)

Here's something I wish every woman knew: most breast cancers begin as a painless lump. Not painful. Not alarming. Not something that makes you rush to a doctor. Just a quiet, growing change — something you might feel in the shower and dismiss as "probably nothing." Something that doesn't hurt, so you assume it can't be serious. But I want you to remember this: #LumpsDontLie. A new lump that is growing — even if it doesn't hurt — is never something to ignore. It deserves to be evaluated by a breast specialist. Not next month. Not when things settle down at work. Now. I understand that life is busy. I understand that as women, we are often the last ones to prioritize ourselves. But your body is trying to tell you something. The kindest thing you can do for yourself — and for everyone who depends on you — is to listen.

What to Watch For: Your Monthly Self-Check

Self-examination is the first and fastest tool you have. It costs nothing, takes five minutes, and could genuinely save your life.

When to do it:

• If you are still menstruating: about one week after your period ends, when breast tissue is least swollen

• If you are postmenopausal: pick a fixed date each month and stick to it

What to look and feel for:

• Any new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm

• Change in the size or shape of one breast

• Skin dimpling or puckering — like the surface of an orange peel

• Nipple inversion (a nipple that has recently turned inward)

• Nipple discharge that wasn't there before

• Any area of persistent discomfort or tenderness

None of these are automatic signs of cancer. But all of them are reasons to consult a breast specialist—a surgical oncologist in Thane or wherever you are based—without delay.

"But What If They Find Something?" — Understanding the Next Steps

This is the fear that keeps many women from seeing a doctor. The anxiety of what if they find something can feel more manageable than the possibility of actually knowing. I understand that fear. But I also know what happens when women wait. If a lump or change is found, the next steps are straightforward and designed to give you clarity:

Imaging: A mammogram and/or breast ultrasound will give us a clearer picture of what's happening inside. These are non-invasive and routinely done.

Biopsy, if needed: If imaging suggests something that needs further investigation, a core biopsy may be performed. This is a small procedure that takes a tiny tissue sample for examination under a microscope.

I want to address something directly here, because I hear this concern often: "Will a biopsy cause the cancer to spread?"

No. This is a myth. A core biopsy is safe, well-established, and essential. It does not cause cancer to spread. It is simply the most accurate way to know what we are dealing with—and to make sure you receive exactly the right treatment, no more and no less.

The Most Important Thing I Can Tell You

Breast cancer, when caught early, is treatable. Often, it is curable. The difference between finding it early and finding it late is not just medical — it is the difference between a shorter, less intensive treatment journey and a longer, harder one. It is the difference between options and limitations.

As a surgical oncologist at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, I have seen women walk out of treatment back to their lives, their families, their work—because they paid attention to a small change and came in early. I have also seen what happens when women wait too long, and it is a memory that stays with you.

Please don't wait.