World Cancer Day: Cancer Cases have doubled in India in three decades, says experts

The incidence of cancer has been steadily increasing in India over the last few decades, with the number of cancer patients projected to rise to 1.57 million in 2025, double of what it was in 1990. The country has now emerged as the cancer capital of the world. This was said by oncologists from Sammprada Multi-speciality Hospital, Bengaluru, ahead of the World Cancer Day, during a talk on meeting the challenge of cancer in India.

Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Hematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician, Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru, said: “Over the years, cancer incidence has been steadily increasing because of factors like population growth, increasing number of aging people, improved diagnostic facilities, and lifestyle changes involving smoking, alcohol, bad diet, obesity, and lack of exercise. Cancers associated with tobacco use, including lung, oral, and throat cancers, account for nearly 40% of all cancer cases in India. The incidence of cancer is higher in females (105 per 100,000 population) in India, compared to males (95 per 100,000 population).”

“Cancer treatment in India poses several challenges. This includes late presentation of patients, inadequate medical facilities in rural areas, lack of awareness about cancer screening, difficulty in accessing cancer care, high cost of treatment, inadequate insurance coverage, and inconsistent treatment protocols,” said Dr. Vinod, Preventive Oncologist.

He added: “Several things can be done to reduce incidence of cancer. Most of these relate to lifestyle changes. Reducing consumption of tobacco and alcohol and controlling obesity can lead to drastic fall in cancer cases. Vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis B can also play a huge role. People need to increase physical activity and improve their nutrition through consumption of more fruits, vegetables and fibre and reduced intake of processed food, meat, and sugary beverages.”

Talking about the most significant advances in cancer treatment, Dr. Radheshyam Naik said: “In surgical field, there are advances like robotic surgery, organ conservation surgeries, pre-op chemo radio therapy enabling minimal surgery, and better prosthesis for breast and limbs. In medical oncology, we have more targeted chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, and anti-angiogenic treatment, as well as better hormone therapies, bone-protecting drugs, bone marrow growth factors and anti-microbials. Radiation oncology too has seen advances like more targeted radiotherapies with machines like cyber knife and better techniques of brachy therapy and use of combination chemo-radio therapies.”