Cancer Cases Have Doubled in India in Three Decades

Cancers associated with tobacco use, including lung, oral, and throat cancers account for 40% of all cancer cases in the country

BENGALURU / February 3, 2025: The incidence of cancer has been steadily increasing in India
over the last few decades, with the number of cancer patients projected to rise to 1.57 million in 2025,
double of what it was in 1990. The country has now emerged as cancer capital of the world. This was
said by oncologists from Sammprada Multi-speciality Hospital, Bengaluru, ahead of the World
Cancer Day, during a talk on meeting the challenge of cancer in India.

Said Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Hematologist and Bone Marrow
Transplant Physician, Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru: “Over the years, cancer incidence has
been steadily increasing because of factors like population growth, increasing number of aging
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).”

Said Dr. Vinod, Preventive Oncologist, Sammprada Hospital: “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, difficult in accessing cancer care, high cost of
treatment, inadequate insurance coverage, and inconsistent treatment protocols.”

He added: “Several things can be done to reduce incidence of cancer. Most of these relate to lifestyle
changes. Reducing consumption of tobacco and alcohol and controlling obesity can lead to 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 consumption of more fruits, vegetables
and fibre and reduced intake of processed food, meat, and sugary beverages.”

According to Dr. Radheshyam Naik, many cancers have seen significant improvements in survival
rates in India such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, cancer of cervix, lymphomas, and
leukemia’s. While breast cancers and lung cancers remain prevalent, other cancers like lymphoma,
prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancers are seeing a rise in the last few years.

Talking about the most significant advances in cancer treatment, Dr. Radheshyam Naik said: “In
surgical field, there are advances like robotic surgery, organ conservation surgeries, pre-op chemo
radio therapy enabling minimal surgery, and better prosthesis 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 cyber knife and better techniques of brachy therapy and use of
combination chemo-radio therapies.”