Is Your Saree Petticoat Causing Cancer? Doctors Warn Of Shocking Risk

Sarees, known for their elegance and versatility, are a wardrobe staple in South Asia. However, a recent study has identified a health risk dubbed as 'saree cancer' or 'petticoat cancer', which can be caused by regularly tying the petticoat (underskirt) too tightly around the waist. Published in BMJ Case Reports, the research details surprising cases involving elderly Indian women who sported sarees for decades and developed this rare cancer called 'Marjolin ulcer' that went largely unnoticed. 

Saree & Dhoti Cancer: Case Studies

Indian researchers Kaveri Rusia, Bhushan Madke, Piyush Kumar, and Yash Kashikar published a study titled 'Petticoat cancer: Marjolin ulcer of the waist in South Asian women (a site-specific malignancy)' which includes several recent cases where several elderly women were diagnosed with cancer after tying the saree too snuggly.

In one such case, a 70-year-old patient noticed an ulcer on the right side of her waist, accompanied by pigmentation. The pressure from her petticoat cord over many years led to extensive skin damage, leading to the ulcers, medically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma.  

“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,” the patient told the researchers. "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."

In another case, a woman in her late 60s who wore a lugda, a Chhattisgarh-native saree tied directly at the waist without an underskirt, developed a similar ulcer that ultimately spread to her lymph nodes. The report explains, "Constant waist pressure leads to skin thinning, erosion, and eventually ulceration, creating a non-healing wound that may undergo malignant change."

Similar cases have been reported in  Chennai, another in Bengaluru in 2014, and a more recent case in Mumbai in 2020. This condition is not limited to women as even men who wear dhotis are at risk. Pathologist Vasant Khanolkar described it as “dhoti cancer” after he encountered the condition in eight men, according to The Telegraph.

Cause And Prevention

Marjolin ulcers are possibly triggered when the garment is tied too tightly around the waist, restricting airflow. When the cord is fastened constantly at the same level in the abdomen, it can lead to skin irritation known as 'dermatoses' if not tended to. This irritation can then cause ulcers, which in some cases, can become malignant.

Doctors say that the irritation from the petticoat or dhoti is more severe in regions with hot and humid climates, where sweat and dust can accumulate on irritated skin. In rural or remote areas, healthcare services are limited and individuals might not pay attention to early symptoms like mild scale signs or pigmentation. 

Researcher Bhushan Madke told The Telegraph, "The pressure on the skin and its consequences come from the tight petticoat cord. We might ask why we don’t see belt cancers — one possibility is that belts have a greater width than cords in petticoats. The thinner the cord, the more intense the pressure." 

Though 'saree cancer' is a rare condition, experts are now warning patients of the possible risks of the condition. Doctors say that loosening the petticoat cord, choosing a wider waistband, and maintaining good hygiene are ways to prevent any irritation that can lead to serious illnesses like Marjolin ulcers.