Cancer Statistics plays an important role in understanding the prevalence and impact of Cancer. They also provide insights on incidence rates, survival rates, mortality, and other trends, helping researchers in identifying risk factors, and also help in evaluating the effectiveness of current treatment options. These statistics help healthcare professionals in effective decision making and patient care, whereas for policymakers it helps in policymaking, resource allocation, service planning, and other health interventions.

Additionally, they spread awareness among the general population emphasizing on Cancer, which benefits in reducing cancer burden by early detection and lifestyle modifications by general population.

Through this blog we would like to highlight the Cancer Statistics of India.

Highlights:

  • In India, one in nine people are likely to develop cancer in his/her lifetime.
  • Lung and breast cancers were the leading sites of cancer in males and females, respectively.
  • Among the childhood (0-14 yr) cancers, lymphoid leukaemia (boys: 29.2% and girls: 24.2%) was the leading site.
  • The estimated number of incident cases of cancer in India for the year 2022 was found to be 14,61,427.

The cancer incidence burden continues to increase in India. Preventive measures must be taken to reduce the future burden through early detection, risk reduction, and effective management.

(Estimated proportion of top 10 leading sites of cancer in Indian Males – 2022)

 

The top 5 leading cancer sites in Males are Lung (10.6%), Mouth (8.4%), Tongue (6.1%), Prostate (5.9%), and Stomach (4.8%).

(Estimated proportion of top 10 leading sites of cancer in Indian females – 2022)

In females, the top 5 leading cancer sites are Breast (28.8%), Cervix (10.6%), Ovary (6.2%), Corpus uteri (3.7%), and Lung (3.7%).

 

The estimated number of new cancer cases is projected to increase by 12.8% from 2020 to 2025.

Estimated trends in number of cancer cases for the leading sites in India in 2020 and 2025

MALES

In 2020, the most common Cancer sites for Males included Lung cancer with 71,788 cases, Mouth cancer with 57,380 cases, Prostate cancer with 41,532 cases, Tongue cancer with 39,902 cases, and Stomach cancer with 32,713 cases. The combined total for other cancer sites was 436,106 cases, making the overall number of cancer cases 679,421.

By 2025, these numbers are projected to rise significantly, with Lung cancer cases expected to increase to 81,219, Mouth cancer to 64,519, Prostate cancer to 47,068, Tongue cancer to 44,861, and Stomach cancer to 36,938. The total for other cancer sites is projected to reach 488,970, with the overall number of cancer cases anticipated to rise to 763,575.

Source: SATHISHKUMAR et al: CANCER INCIDENCE ESTIMATES FOR 2022

 

FEMALES

In 2020, the most common cancer sites for females included Breast cancer with 205,424 cases, Cervical cancer with 75,209 cases, Ovarian cancer with 43,886 cases, Corpus uteri cancer with 26,514 cases, and lung cancer with 26,490 cases. The combined total for other cancer sites was 335,235 cases, making the overall number of Cancer cases 712,758.

By 2025, these numbers are projected to rise significantly, with Breast cancer cases expected to increase to 232,832, Cervical cancer to 85,241, Ovarian cancer to 49,644, Corpus uteri cancer to 30,121, and lung cancer to 30,109. The total for other cancer sites is projected to reach 378,271, with the overall number of cancer cases anticipated to rise to 806,218.

Source: SATHISHKUMAR et al: CANCER INCIDENCE ESTIMATES FOR 2022

 

 

To reduce the future burden of cancer, it is important to implement effective preventive measures that mainly focuses on cancer early detection, risk reduction, and management.

Here are some key strategies:

Early Detection

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
  • Educating general population about the importance of regular health check-ups and recognizing early symptoms of cancer.
  • Media, community health workers, and educational institutions can help in spreading awareness.
  1. Screening Programs:
  • For common cancers such as breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, widespread screening programs can be implemented.
  • Early detection through mammograms, and other modern techniques
  1. Access to Diagnostic Facilities:
  • Easy access should be proved to diagnostic facilities in rural and undeveloped areas.
  • Telemedicine can help in reaching maximum people.

 

Risk Reduction

  1. Promoting healthy lifestyle:
  • Balanced Diets
  • Exercise
  • Weight Management
  1. Tobacco Control:
  • Existing Acts by government should be effectively reinforced.
  • Government can promote anti-tobacco advertising, public smoking bans, etc.
  • Government can also impose higher taxes
  1. Vaccination Programs:
  • Increasing the vaccination rate in India
  • Promoting Cervical Cancer Vaccine
  • HPV Vaccine
  • Hepatitis B vaccine for liver cancer, etc.

 

For the effective implementation of these strategies, efforts from government and from all sectors of society is necessary. With collaborative efforts, India can take significant steps in reducing the cancer burden and improving overall public health.