Cancer Cases Rising in India: Cancer is no longer a distant threat in India—it is a growing reality touching more and more families every year. A new analysis of 43 population-based cancer registries, covering data between 2015 and 2019, along with recent national figures, paints a concerning picture. In 2024 alone, India reported about 15.6 lakh new cancer cases, while nearly 8.74 lakh people lost their lives to the disease.
The study highlights that the lifetime risk of developing cancer in India has now reached 11%, meaning roughly 11 out of every 100 people may face cancer at some point in their lives.
Women Survive More, But Still Carry the Burden
Women account for 51.1% of reported cancer cases, yet their death rate is lower at about 45% compared to men. This suggests that many common female cancers—particularly breast and cervical cancers, which together make up around 40% of women’s cancers—are more treatable when detected early.
Simple and affordable screening tests, such as breast self-checks, Pap smears, and HPV tests, play a vital role in improving survival rates among women.
Men Hit Harder by Oral and Lung Cancers
For Indian men, the situation is more worrying. Oral cancer has now overtaken lung cancer as the most common type among men, a shift strongly linked to lifestyle factors. Lung and stomach cancers also remain major killers, largely because they are often diagnosed at a late stage.
Even though tobacco use has declined in recent years—from 34.6% in 2009-10 to 28.6% in 2016-17—oral cancers continue to rise. Alcohol, when combined with tobacco use, greatly increases the risk of cancers of the mouth and throat.
The North-East: India’s Cancer Hotspot
While cancer is a nationwide concern, India’s north-east states are reporting much higher rates. Mizoram in particular stands out, with the highest lifetime cancer risk in the country—21.1% for men and 18.9% for women—nearly double the national average.
The reasons include widespread tobacco use, local dietary patterns such as smoked or preserved foods, and infections like HPV, H. pylori, and viral hepatitis, which are linked to increased cancer risk.
Prevention Is Possible: Small Steps, Big Impact
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 30 to 50% of cancers are preventable. Prevention and early detection remain India’s strongest tools in reducing cancer deaths.
Key steps include:
- Regular screenings for breast, cervical, and oral cancers.
- Vaccinations such as HPV (to prevent cervical cancer) and hepatitis B (to reduce liver cancer risk).
- Awareness campaigns to discourage tobacco and alcohol use.
- Healthier lifestyles, with better diets and regular physical activity.
The Way Forward for India
Cancer in India is rising, but it does not have to be a death sentence. Stronger screening programs, wider vaccine coverage, and effective public health campaigns can change outcomes.
Improving access to healthcare in smaller towns and rural areas—where awareness and facilities for early detection are limited—will also save thousands of lives. Data further highlights the urgent need to focus on regional hotspots like the north-east.
