A recent study published in The Lancet has revealed a concerning trend in India's cancer landscape. The study, titled 'The global, regional, and national burden of cancer, 1990–2023, with forecasts to 2050', indicates a sharp 26.4% surge in cancer incidence rates in India over the past three decades. This translates to an increase from 84.8 cases per 100,000 people in 1990 to 107.2 per 100,000 in 2023.
Mirroring this rise in incidence, the country's cancer mortality rates have also increased significantly. There has been a 21.2% increase, from 71.7 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 86.9 in 2023. While the absolute numbers are rising, India ranks 168th out of 204 nations for cancer death rates, suggesting that age-adjusted rates are lower compared to most countries. However, experts warn that this may change as India's population ages.
Globally, the study paints a concerning picture, projecting a substantial rise in cancer cases and deaths. By 2050, an estimated 30.5 million people are expected to receive a new cancer diagnosis, and 18.6 million are projected to die from the disease. Notably, over half of the new cases and two-thirds of the deaths are expected to occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India. The global number of new cancer cases has more than doubled since 1990, reaching 18.5 million in 2023, while cancer deaths increased by 74% to 10.4 million.
Several factors contribute to the increasing cancer burden in India. These include an aging population, urbanization, lifestyle changes, and persistent risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and air pollution. Gaps in early detection and treatment access also play a significant role.
Within India, certain cancers are more prevalent than others. Tobacco-related cancers, such as those of the mouth, tongue, throat, larynx, and lung, remain a major concern, particularly among men and increasingly among women. Breast cancer has emerged as the deadliest malignancy in India, with 8.5 deaths per 100,000 people annually. Lung cancer follows closely, with 8.4 deaths per 100,000, and esophageal cancer ranks third at 8.2 deaths per 100,000. Cervical cancer remains common but is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and screening.
While the global average shows a decline in cancer incidence and mortality, India is experiencing an opposite trend. This is attributed to the success of high-income countries in implementing strong tobacco control measures, universal vaccination programs, and organized screening initiatives. India, however, faces challenges in these areas, with uneven implementation of evidence-based strategies like HPV and Hepatitis-B vaccination, mammography, lung cancer screening, and colonoscopy screening.
To reverse this concerning trend, experts emphasize the urgent need to strengthen risk prevention strategies, expand evidence-based screening programs, and integrate cancer care into universal health coverage. Prioritizing cancer control policies and increasing funding for research and implementation are also crucial steps. Moreover, raising awareness about modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and high blood sugar, can contribute to prevention efforts. It's estimated that approximately 40% of cancers in India are linked to modifiable risks.
