Breast, lung and prostate are the most prevalent cancers in India in the recent decade : Dr Purohit

Bhopal/ New Delhi : In earlier decades, stomach, penile and cervical cancer were more common, while in the recent decades, breast, lung and prostate are the most prevalent cancers in India said,  Dr. Naresh Purohit, Advisor-National Cancer Control Programme.

Voicing his concern on this issue noted Epidemiologist and Preventive Oncology Expert Dr. Purohit told reporters here after addressing a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on “Crusade Against Cancer ” organised by the Bhopal based AIIMS on the Eve of World Cancer Day , that cancer incidence has been rising in India due to increased detection and awareness.
Among women, the incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly. In 2020, breast cancer accounted for 13.5% of all cancers and around 10.6% of all cancer-related deaths.

“Recent epidemiological studies show that the incidence is increasing particularly among

Indian women under the age of 40.”he added. “The country is home to the world’s second-largest number of tobacco users (over 28% of all adults in India). Of these, at least 12 lakh die every year from tobacco-related diseases including cancer, “he said.

“According to the Indian Council of Medical Research recent data more. than 40% of India’s cancer burden is, contributed by the seven most common types of cancer — lung (10.6%), breast, (10.5%), oesophagus (5.8%), mouth, (5.7%), stomach (5.2%), liver (4.6%), and cervix, uteri (4.3%).” he pointed

He averred that as per World Health Organisation’s 2020 report the estimated incidence of cancer cases in India (13,24,413) accounts for the third highest number of cancer cases after China (45,68,754) and the United States of America (22,81,658).
While the incidence rate of cancer in India is lower, when compared to developed countries, the mortality rate is higher due to late diagnosis.

“However, the absolute number of new cases is increasing due to population growth and better diagnostic, facilities. It has been estimated that around 20 lakh people will be affected by 2040 due to this disease and almost 10 lakh cancer deaths shall be observed, “he added.

Acclaimed Oncologist pointed that in 2020, 8.5 lakh Indians died due to cancer. Death due to breast cancer accounted for the highest share (11%) followed by lip, oral cavity (9%), cervix uteri (9%) and lung cancer (8%).

Citing his recent scientific report published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention , Lead Author and Principal Investigator for the Association of studies in Cancer Care Dr Purohit said that, 60% of India’s population, is not covered under any insurance scheme as the patient battles cancer, one of the “costliest” ailments.

He said that treatment options are often costly not only because of expensive medicines and surgeries, but also due to the inaccessibility of local, specialised treatment centres. Due to this, the patient and family members often need to travel to another city where they would have to stay for months to complete the treatment.

He stated that India currently has 39 specialised. government-run cancer care hospitals. Ten more are planned to be set up. In addition, more than 250 cancer centres, including six dedicated cancer hospitals like the Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai , function as a part of a grid run by the Department of Atomic Energy. Specialised cancer treatment units have been approved in all the 22 new AIIMS and 13 government medical colleges have been selected for upgrades to include cancer treatment.

“But the numbers are gravely inadequate for a country of 1.4 billion people, and the facilities are out of reach for a large part of the rural population.”he added.

He revealed that about 60% of cancer patients, especially from the rural background, come for a medical consultation only once the disease has progressed beyond cure. “This is mostly due to a lack of awareness about the availability of effective cancer treatment. They sometimes rely on ineffective alternative medicines which promise miracle cures,” he explained.
He emphasised that cancer is emerging as a public health problem and regular cancer screening, especially for breast and cervical cancer, is the need of the hour to tackle the rising disease burden.
Unfortunately, without regular screening, breast cancer is commonly detected at third and fourth stages only. ___________________________________________

*Dr. Naresh Purohit, MD, DNB,DIH, MHA, MRCP is an advisor to Govt. of India on Community Health,  Epidemiologist and Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program.               He’s  an  Advisor-National Cancer Control Program.

Dr. Purohit is also Executive Member of Hospital Administration .