'Petticoat cancer': Doctors warn against wearing tight waist cords in saree

In a new study, doctors have warned that the traditional practice of wearing tightly tied waist cords with sarees may lead to skin cancer.

In Short

• Doctors warn that tight waist cords under sarees may lead to skin cancer
• Known as "petticoat cancer," this risk affects many women in rural India
• Experts recommend wearing looser petticoats and paying attention to skin changes

Wearing a tightly tied waist cord on an underskirt, a common practice in traditional saree dressing, may lead to skin cancer, warn doctors in a recent report published in BMJ Case Reports.

The condition, colloquially referred to as "petticoat cancer," highlights a risk many women, especially in rural India, may face due to the friction and pressure exerted by these garments over long periods.

The report describes two cases of older women who developed Marjolin ulcers, a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer, attributed to the prolonged, tight binding of saree waist cords.

The chronic pressure and friction cause repeated skin inflammation, which over time may lead to ulceration and, in severe cases, progression to skin cancer.

Previously termed "saree cancer," experts now identify the tightly bound waist cord as the primary culprit.

In the first case, a 70-year-old woman presented with a persistent ulcer on her right side, accompanied by pigmentation loss. Despite wearing a petticoat underneath, the tight waist cord caused sustained skin damage, leading to a Marjolin ulcer, diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma.

In the second case, a woman in her late 60s who wore a lugda, a traditional saree style tied directly at the waist without an underskirt, developed a similar ulcer that ultimately spread to her lymph nodes.

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

"Constant waist pressure leads to skin thinning, erosion, and eventually ulceration, creating a non-healing wound that may undergo malignant change," the report explains.

To reduce this risk, doctors, including those from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Uttar Pradesh, advise women to wear looser petticoats or avoid tight waist cords, especially if they notice skin changes. Allowing the skin to breathe and heal can prevent complications.

Reflecting on her diagnosis, the 70-year-old patient shared her story: "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."

"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.

Her story underscores the importance of awareness around traditional clothing practices and the potential health impacts of chronic skin pressure.