India’s Medical Research Panel has released a study disclosing the data that is harassed about increasing cancer cases in the country. Studies under the leadership of National Cancer Registry Program Investigator Group, including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Tata Memorial Center, and Dr. BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS DELHI consists of scientists, more than 7 lakh cancer cases and more than 2 lakh deaths were analyzed among others, using 43 population-based cancer data.

Mizoram records the highest cancer incidents

It was found that the lifetime risk of cancer development in India is about 11%. However, in Mizoram, the risk is almost doubled – 21.1% for men and 18.9% for women.

Within Mizoram, the Aizawl district recorded the highest cancer incidence in the country, with 256 cases per 1,00,000 cases and 217 cases per 1,00,000 women. The most common cancer among men was oral, lungs and prostate cancer, while in women they were breast, cervical and ovarian cancer.

Among the large metropolitan cities, Delhi had the highest cancer rate in men, while Srinagar reported the most incidents of lung cancer.

Oral cancer on growing

A worrying trend was observed in oral cancer, with significant growth in many areas – 14 registries reported an increase in men and 4 women. In Ahmedabad, there was an increase of 4.7% in oral cancer in men and 6.9% in women.

A study published at the JAMA Network Open also found that overall cancer cases are increasing in some parts of the country. For example, in Kamup Urban (Assam), men’s cancer cases increased by 3.3% per year, while in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), cases in women increased by 3.4% annually.

Researchers estimated that in 2024 alone, India saw around 15,62,099 new cancer cases and 8,74,404 deaths.

Researchers wrote, “Conclusions provide significant insights to policy makers to increase resource allocation and strengthen cancer control strategies across the country.”

In 2022, the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) estimated the total number of cancer cases worldwide and estimated around Rs 2 crore and estimated to increase by Rs 3.26 crore by 2045.

Four cancers are in half of death

Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, Dr. Mandep Singh Malhotra says, “The latest data is the most common among women, breast and cervical cancer are the most common, and men dominate oral and lung cancer in men, these four cancer are about 50% of cancer related deaths in the country.”

Cervical cancer reported in women can be prevented to a large extent through vaccination. HPV vaccine has the ability to prevent up to 80% of cervical cancer, most of which are caused by HPV strains 16 and 18.

On the other hand, breast cancer is not to be stopped, but it can be detected quickly. “In India, breast cancer reaches the peak around 45 years of age, which means that screening and awareness need to be started first from the age of 30-35 years. Since mammograms are not very effective for young women, therefore Malhotra with clinical breast examinations, self-instinct awareness, community-led initiatives.

Oral and lung cancer are mainly related to tobacco, making strong tobacco control policies and public health campaigns completely essential.

Early signs of oral cancer, such as red or white patches, non-healing ulcers, or difficulty in mouth opening, should not be ignored, especially in individuals with tobacco use history. It demands preliminary medical consultation.

Cancer care distribution challenges

Overall, these findings indicate that India requires a dual strategy: preference women’s health through vaccination and quickly detecting and dealing with tobacco epidemics. “At the same time, the construction of a strong healthcare system with cheap and accessible cancer screening, skilled professionals and innovative technologies will be important in reducing the burden of cancer deaths in the coming years,” Dr. Malhotra says.

According to the study, to control cancer in India, there is a need to make a joint effort to focus on awareness, prevention and initial identity. With prevention, it is important to improve cancer care facilities and expand services, especially in areas where there are more cancer cases.

Currently, there are many challenges in cancer care in India, such as the difference in access between regions, financial and social inequalities, low awareness and various health seeking behavior.

To deal with these problems, a collaborative and data-based approach is required to make cancer care fair and accessible to all.