Marjolin’s ulcers is a rare but notable condition that usually occurs in the midsection or at the waistline
The sari is one of the most loved dresses by Indian women. While it may make you look elegant and classy, doctors are warning about a certain health danger this long-cherished traditional garment carries. According to studies, wearing a sari and petticoat—a tightly tied underskirt—for a long time can cause petticoat or 'saree cancer' emerging from chronic pressure around the waist.
The research, published in BMJ Case Reports, has said that constant friction causes skin irritation, pigmentation, and even ulcers, and in rare cases, progress to squamous cell carcinoma or skin cancer. The report details two surprising cases involving elderly women who developed this rare cancer after wearing sarees daily for decades, pointing to a risk that’s gone largely unnoticed.
The risk is even higher for those who wear saris daily, as the tight knot pressing on the same spot over time can lead to heat, friction, and sustained pressure that damage the skin, making it more vulnerable to cancer.
How does wearing a sari lead to cancer?
According to the report, a condition known as Marjolin’s ulcers is a rare but notable condition that usually occurs in the midsection or at the waistline. It causes dermatoses or skin irritation, also known as Marjolin’s ulcer, which in very rare cases can also cause malignancy.
However, this condition is not just limited to women, as men who wear dhoti are also equally at risk. According to doctors, dermatosis, which involves changes in any or all of the skin layers, causes:
- Rashes: a wide variety of skin conditions that are red and raised
- Lesion: an area of skin that is abnormal
- Macule: a change in color or consistency of the skin
- Papule: a bump on the skin smaller than 1 cm in diameter
- Nodule: a bump on the skin larger than 1 cm in diameter
- Plaque: a large area of affected skin with defined edges that may flake or peel
What is a Marjolin ulcer?
A Marjolin ulcer is an aggressive and rare type of skin cancer that grows from burns, poorly healing wounds, or scars. It grows slowly, but over time it can spread to other parts of your body, including your brain, kidneys, liver, or lungs.
According to doctors, some of the first signs of a marjolin ulcer are irritation and damage around an injured area. It also causes itching, burning, and blisters—opening various sores that are filled with several hard lumps around the injured area.
It looks like a flat ulcer with edges that are raised in most cases.
As the sore forms, the ulcers are also common to experience bleeding, crusting, foul-smelling pus, and severe pain. Marjolin ulcers close and reopen repeatedly and continue to grow after the formation of the initial sores. Doctors say most Marjolin ulcers are cancerous and form squamous cancer cells in the upper layers of your skin. Some Marjolin ulcers may also form as basal cell tumours which form in deeper layers of your skin.
Squamous cell carcinoma or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma. It starts in squamous cells in the outer layer of your skin, the epidermis.
Signs and symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma
A few signs and symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include skin changes like:
- A rough feeling, bump, or growth, which might crust over like a scab and bleed
- A growth that’s higher than the skin around it but sinks in the middle
- A wound or sore that won’t heal
- An area of skin that’s flat, scaly, and red that is larger
Ways to protect sari or petticoat cancer
According to doctors, even though you may not be able to prevent all types of squamous cell carcinoma due to wearing saris, you can take steps to reduce your risk by:
- Do not wear tight petticoats
- Make sure to choose a broader waistband that can help distribute pressure more evenly around the waist
- If you wear saris often, make sure to change the position where you tie the petticoat on the waist from time to time. When at home, wear loose trousers with an elastic waistband to allow better airflow
- Always clean the area around your waist, especially if you work outdoors, as dust and sweat tend to accumulate
- Always check the skin around the waist periodically for any signs of irritation
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