Bengaluru: The number of cancer cases in India has doubled since 1990, with projections estimating 1.57 million cases in 2025. Oncologists from Sammprada Multi-Speciality Hospital, Bengaluru, emphasized the urgent need for preventive measures ahead of World Cancer Day.
Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Haematologist, and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician at Sammprada Hospital, highlighted the contributing factors: “Over the years, cancer incidence has been steadily increasing because of factors like population growth, increasing number of ageing people, improved diagnostic facilities, and lifestyle changes involving smoking, alcohol, bad diet, obesity, and lack of exercise. Cancers associated with tobacco use, including lung, oral, and throat cancers, account for nearly 40% of all cancer cases in India. The incidence of cancer is higher in females (105 per 100,000 population) in India, compared to males (95 per 100,000 population).”
Dr. Vinod, Preventive Oncologist at Sammprada Hospital, pointed out the challenges in cancer treatment: “Cancer treatment in India poses several challenges. This includes late presentation of patients, inadequate medical facilities in rural areas, lack of awareness about cancer screening, difficulty in accessing cancer care, high cost of treatment, inadequate insurance coverage, and inconsistent treatment protocols.”
He further stressed the importance of preventive measures: “Several things can be done to reduce the incidence of cancer. Most of these relate to lifestyle changes. Reducing consumption of tobacco and alcohol and controlling obesity can lead to a drastic fall in cancer cases. Vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis B can also play a huge role. People need to increase physical activity and improve their nutrition through the consumption of more fruits, vegetables, and fibre while reducing intake of processed food, meat, and sugary beverages.”
Despite rising cases, there have been significant improvements in survival rates for cancers such as breast, lung, colon, cervical, lymphoma, and leukaemia. However, the incidence of lymphoma, prostate, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers has also been increasing in recent years.
Discussing advancements in cancer treatment, Dr. Radheshyam Naik said: “In the surgical field, there are advances like robotic surgery, organ conservation surgeries, pre-op chemo-radiotherapy enabling minimal surgery, and better prostheses for breast and limbs. In medical oncology, we have more targeted chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, and anti-angiogenic treatment, as well as better hormone therapies, bone-protecting drugs, bone marrow growth factors, and anti-microbials. Radiation oncology too has seen advances like more targeted radiotherapies with machines like CyberKnife, better brachytherapy techniques, and the use of combination chemo-radiotherapies.”
As cancer cases continue to rise, experts stress the need for increased awareness, better access to healthcare, and lifestyle modifications to curb the growing burden of cancer in India.