The study, conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia, analysed global cancer data to assess the incidence and mortality trends in India, reported PTI.
The research highlights that India ranks third globally in terms of cancer cases, following China and the United States, and contributes to over 10% of global cancer-related deaths, placing it second after China.
The findings also suggest that the country is likely to experience a 2% annual rise in cancer cases over the next two decades due to ageing population.
By reviewing data from the Global cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 and the Global Health Observatory (GHO), the study examined patterns in 36 types of cancer over the past two decades across various age groups and genders in India.
“Approximately three out of five individuals would be expected to succumb to mortality if diagnosed with cancer in India,” noted the authors of the study.
The five most prevalent cancers in India collectively account for 44% of the total cancer burden. Women were found to be more affected, with breast cancer remaining the most common, making up 13.8% of all new cancer cases across genders and nearly 30% of cases among women.
Cervical cancer was also a significant concern, contributing 9.2% of all new cases and nearly 20% of deaths among women.
Amongst men, oral cancer was identified as the most frequently diagnosed type, accounting for 16% of new cases, followed by respiratory cancers (8.6%) and oesophageal cancer (6.7%).
The study also observed changing trends in cancer prevalence across different age groups. The highest burden was seen in individuals aged 70 and above, while those between 15 and 49 years formed the second most affected group, contributing to nearly a fifth of cancer-related deaths.
The researchers further noted that middle-aged and older individuals have an 8-10% higher likelihood of developing cancer, with a 5.5-7.7% chance of succumbing to the disease.
Highlighting the critical need for targeted interventions, the researchers stressed that around 70% of cancer cases and fatalities in India occur in middle-aged and older adults.
The study has been described as the “first comprehensive evaluation of the current and future landscape of cancer in India, focusing on different age groups and gender disparities.” GLOBOCAN provides estimated on the incidence, mortality, and prevalence of 36 types of cancer across 185 countries and territories worldwide.
(With PTI Inputs)
