The risk of cancer in India has been increasing rapidly in the last few years. According to media reports, people of almost every age are being diagnosed with cancer. In the year 2022, there were more than 14.1 lakh new cancer cases in India and more than 9.1 lakh deaths due to the disease. The highest number of breast cancer cases were reported in the country.
In the data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the global risk of the disease, it has been advised to remain cautious regarding the increasing risks of cancer in the country.
WHO's cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has reported that the risk of this disease is increasing rapidly year after year in India, even young people are being found victims of this disease. Are. Due to genetics and environmental factors along with lifestyle and diet disturbances, the risk of cancer and the number of deaths due to it are increasing.
The highest incidence of these cancers
According to the report, the most common cases of lip, oral cavity, and lung cancer are seen in men, while the most common cases of breast and cervical cancer are seen in women. Of the new cancer cases, 27 percent of cases have been seen as breast cancer while 18 percent of cases have been seen as cervical cancer.
In the report, experts have expressed concern that more people may be diagnosed with cancer within the next 5 years.
Cancer risk in men and women
Globally, the agency has estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 97 lakh deaths. The report states that approximately 1 in 5 people will develop cancer in their lifetime and approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women will die from the disease.
In India, the risk of developing cancer before the age of 75 was estimated to be 10.6 percent, while the risk of dying from cancer by the same age was found to be 7.2 percent. At the global level, these risks are 20 percent and 9.6 percent respectively.
Higher risk of death from lung cancer
An analysis of cancer data found that lung cancer is the most common cancer (12.4 percent of total new cases) and the leading cause of cancer deaths. This is about 19 percent of total cancer deaths. Experts said the risk of lung cancer has increased rapidly due to high tobacco consumption in Asia.
IARC found that breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women globally.
Alert regarding increasing risks of cervical cancer
In August 2020, the World Health Assembly adopted a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. Vaccinating girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) before age 15 and screening 70 percent of women by age 35 could help reduce cervical cancer risks, researchers said.
WHO said that timely identification, screening, and treatment along with lifestyle-dietary improvements can help reduce the increasing risk of cancer worldwide. This is a serious disease regarding everyone needs to be constantly careful.
(PC: iStock)
