Cancer Mortality in Delhi: Cancer cases are increasing worldwide, and the country's capital, Delhi, is no exception. Let us tell you which cancer causes the most deaths in Delhi.

Cancer deaths in Delhi

Delhi Government Cancer Data: The latest figures from the Delhi government paint a grim and worrying picture of cancer in the capital. Over the past 20 years, one in three people who died from cancer was under the age of 44. This means the disease is no longer confined to the elderly, but is increasingly affecting young people and working-age individuals as well. Over the past two decades, approximately 1.1 lakh people have died from cancer in Delhi, of which approximately 93,000 deaths were recorded in hospitals.

The number of deaths from cancer has risen sharply.

According to statistics, while the number of cancer deaths in 2005 was over 2,000, it increased to nearly 7,400 by 2024. However, this increase has not been uniform every year. For example, in 2011, the number of cancer deaths reached nearly 10,000, clearly demonstrating the growing threat of this disease. In terms of age, those aged 45 to 64 were the most affected, accounting for over 41 percent. Furthermore, children under 14 accounted for approximately 8 percent, and youth aged 15 to 24 accounted for 5.8 percent. Over these 20 years, 7,298 children and 5,415 youth (under 24) died from cancer in Delhi hospitals.

Cancer deaths rise in Delhi

Cancer deaths in Delhi have increased at an average rate of 7 percent annually, more than three times the capital's population growth rate. More than 90 percent of all deaths occurred in hospitals, reaching nearly 98 percent in 2018. Experts believe this reflects better reporting and an increasing reliance on hospitals for treatment. In actual numbers, between 2005 and 2024, 38,481 people aged 45 to 64 died in hospitals, compared with 23,141 over-65s and 18,220 between 25 and 44 years of age.

Difference in the number of women and men

Gender-wise, data show that men reported higher cancer deaths. During this period, there were approximately 55,300 institutional deaths for men and over 37,600 for women. However, the age pattern remained roughly the same. While approximately 40 percent of deaths occurred in the 45-64 age group, this proportion was over 43 percent for women. According to doctors, the number of deaths in the 25-44 age group was slightly higher than that of men, which is being linked to diseases like breast and cervical cancer.

How many deaths occurred due to which cancer?

Breast cancer accounted for 411 deaths and ovarian cancer for 194 women. Respiratory cancer accounted for 553 deaths and prostate cancer for 117 men. Tobacco-related cancers also remained a major cause of death, with oral cancer accounting for 607 deaths in men and 214 deaths in women. Furthermore, cancers related to the digestive system, such as stomach, colon, and pancreas, also claimed significant numbers of lives.

What do experts say?

According to Dr. Abhishek Shankar, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology at AIIMS Delhi, air pollution is contributing to the significant increase in lung and breast cancer cases. Furthermore, unequal access to treatment is also contributing to high mortality rates, with private hospitals being expensive and government hospitals under significant pressure. Experts point out that cancer is not only increasing among young people, but it is also more dangerous at this age. Therefore, if timely diagnosis and proper treatment are not received, the risk of death increases.