A recent report published in BMJ Case Reports has warned doctors that wearing a tightly tied waist rope over the underskirt, a common practice in traditional sari dressing, may cause skin cancer.

This condition, colloquially known as “petticoat cancer”, highlights a risk that many women, especially in rural India, may face due to the friction and pressure of these garments over long periods of time. Is.

The report describes two cases of elderly women who developed Marjolin ulcer, a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer caused by tying the waist strings of a sari tightly for a long period of time.

Prolonged pressure and friction causes repeated inflammation of the skin, which can lead to ulcers over time and, in severe cases, turn into skin cancer.

Earlier called “saree cancer”, experts now consider tightly tied waist ropes to be the primary culprit.

In the first case, a 70-year-old woman had persistent ulcers on the right side, accompanied by decreased pigmentation. Despite wearing petticoats underneath, the tight waist rope caused continued skin damage, leading to Marjolin ulcers, known as squamous cell carcinoma.

In the second case, a woman over the age of 60 who wore a PulpA traditional saree style tied directly at the waist without an underskirt developed a similar ulcer which eventually spread to her lymph nodes.

Marjolin ulcers, also known as squamous cell carcinoma (ulcerative skin cancer), often arise in areas of long-standing, non-healing wounds or chronic irritation. The exact mechanism by which they become cancerous is unclear, but prolonged inflammation and pressure are known to increase the risk of malignant transformation.

“Continuous waist pressure causes skin thinning, erosion and ultimately ulceration, leading to non-healing wounds that can lead to malignant transformation,” the report states.

To reduce this risk, doctors, including those at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Uttar Pradesh, advise women to wear loose petticoats or avoid tight waist cords, especially if they notice skin changes. Complications can be prevented by allowing the skin to breathe and heal.

Reflecting on her diagnosis, the 70-year-old patient shared her story: “I wore a tightly wrapped saree for decades, unaware that it could harm my health. Minor changes in the skin could lead to a painful, non-healing The ulcers turned into ulcers, which were eventually diagnosed as “skin cancer.”

She said, “This experience has been physically and emotionally distressing. I hope my story will encourage others to seek medical advice quickly if they notice abnormal skin changes.”

Her story underlines the importance of traditional clothing practices and awareness of the potential health effects of chronic skin pressure.