Last Updated:
Saree cancer may be a result of constant friction from the tight petticoat or waist string while wearing a saree or even regular pressure at the waist from the saree’s pleats
Many Indian women tightly secure their petticoats when wearing a saree which exerts considerable pressure on the abdominal area, which may lead to saree cancer. (Representative/PTI File)
Recent research by doctors has revealed that a significant number of women in India could be at risk of developing skin cancer due to their practice of wearing sarees. While the connection might seem unusual, the research highlights a specific concern.
The doctors found that many women tightly secure their petticoats when wearing a saree. This practice, they caution, exerts significant pressure on the abdominal area. The constant friction and increased pressure on the skin caused by tight petticoat tying, over prolonged periods, could potentially lead to skin cancer.
This condition, sometimes referred to as saree cancer, petticoat cancer, saree melanosis, or saree cancer syndrome, describes dermatological changes, including the potential development of skin cancer, observed around the waist in women who frequently wear sarees.
Read: Petticoat Cancer: Do You Wear Your Saree Like This? Study Says You Are At Risk
Causes of Saree Cancer
- Constant friction from the tight petticoat/waist string
- Regular pressure at the waist from the saree’s pleats
- Chronic irritation of the skin
- Lack of sun exposure to that area
- Accumulation of sweat and moisture
Symptoms of Saree Cancer
- Darkening (hyperpigmentation) of the skin around the waist
- Thickening of the skin
- Development of rough, scaly patches
- In some cases, progression to squamous cell carcinoma
How to Prevent Saree Cancer
- Avoiding very tight petticoats or waistbands
- Rotating the position of the saree’s knot
- Using soft fabric for petticoats
- Maintaining good hygiene
- Regular examination of the waist area
- Wearing looser clothing when possible
