New Delhi: Have you heard of ‘petticoat cancer’?
In a warning to women who wear a tightly-tied waist cord on an underskirt, doctors have said it could lead to skin cancer.
In a recent study published in BMJ Case Reports, the condition — colloquially referred to as ‘petticoat cancer’ – has been highlighted as a risk for many women, especially in rural India, caused by the friction and pressure exerted by these saree garments.
The report refers to two cases of older women having developed Marjolin ulcers, a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer which has been attributed to prolonged, tight binding of saree waist cords.
The continuous pressure causes repeated skin inflammation, which may lead to ulceration over time, and, in severe cases, cause skin cancer.
Previously known as ‘saree cancer,’ the tightly-bound waist cord is now identified as main primary culprit.
Of the two women diagnosed with ‘petticoat cancer’, a 70-year-old woman had a persistent ulcer on her right side, along with pigmentation loss. The tight waist cord caused sustained skin damage, leading to Marjolin ulcer which was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma.
In the second case, a woman in her late 60s who used to wear a lugda — a traditional saree tied directly at the waist without an underskirt — developed a similar ulcer that ultimately spread to her lymph nodes.
“Constant waist pressure leads to skin thinning, erosion, and eventually ulceration, creating a non-healing wound that may undergo malignant change,” the report says.
How to reduce the risk?
Doctors have advised women to wear looser petticoats or avoid tight waist cords. Women have to be aware and keep a watch if any skin change takes place.
In a nutshell, doctors advise women to ensure that the skin must be allowed to breathe and heal, which can prevent complications.
“I wore a tightly wrapped saree for decades, unaware it could harm my health. A minor skin change turned into a painful, non-healing ulcer, eventually diagnosed as skin cancer,” shared the 70-year-old patient.
“This experience has been physically and emotionally taxing. I hope my story encourages others to seek early medical advice if they notice unusual skin changes,” she added.