WHO report shows breast, oral and cervical cancer accounted for 32 per cent of new cases in India

Breast cancer was the leading cancer among women with as many as 1,92, 020 new cases (26.6 per cent), followed by 1,27,526 cervical cancer cases (17.7 per cent). The third most frequent cancer among women was ovarian (6.6 per cent) in 2022. Among men, oral cancer was the most-occuring with 1,07,812 new cases (15.6 per cent) followed by lung cancer (58,970 new cases – 8.5 per cent) and cancer of the oesophagus (45608- 6.6 per cent). Breast cancer was the leading cause of death (98,337 – 13.7 per cent) followed by oral cancer (79,979 – 5.6 per cent) and cervical cancer (79,906 – 11.2 per cent) in the country in 2022.

Globally, there were an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022. The estimated number of people who were alive for five years after a cancer diagnosis was 53.5 million. About one in five people develop cancer in their lifetime, with approximately one in nine men and one in 12 women succumbing to the disease globally. The report also predicts over 35 million new cancer cases in 2050 – a 77 per cent increase from the estimated 20 million in 2022.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR HIGH INCIDENCE?

Dr C S Pramesh, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and board member of the Union International for Cancer Control, emphasises the need for a healthier lifestyle as the only preventive drill. “The most effective prevention is a healthier lifestyle. Avoiding tobacco (in any form) and alcohol, more physical activity, losing weight and preventing infections are the important strategies we need to adopt. A physically fit and active person has a much lower chance of developing cancer than others,” he says.

As for the spike in breast cancer, Dr Minnish Jain, Director, Medical Oncology, at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, attributes it to increased smoking, alcohol use, obesity and lack of breastfeeding. Poor lifestyle and excessive body weight can be the two major risk factors for breast cancer post-menopause. “We also need to give up ultra-processed foods, unhealthy fats and high-sugar foods,” he says.

NEED FOR PALLIATIVE CARE

The WHO also published survey results from 115 countries, showing a majority of countries do not adequately finance priority cancer and palliative care services as part of universal health coverage (UHC). “Our patients do not really have adequate access to care,” says Dr Anil D’Cruz, former president, Union International for Cancer Control and Director, Oncology, Apollo Hospitals.

“If you consider the incidence-to-mortality ratio globally, there is one death for every three cases diagnosed. In India, two of every three people diagnosed die. This is partly because of late presentation. Hence the government should have a multi-pronged attack and ensure diagonal access to health care by strengthening primary healthcare facilities towards prevention and early detection of cancer,” says Dr D’Cruz. Due to late presentation and lack of access to care, the success rate of curing paediatric cancers is 50 to 60 per cent.

He also points out how the government must ensure it has price control on all drugs that are on the Essential Medicine List of WHO. “Chemotherapy should be available easily and at UICC, a global access programme, Access to Oncological Medicine, has been started to improve access to essential cancer medicines,” says Dr D’Cruz, adding that morphine should be freely available to people suffering from advanced cancers who are in terminal pain.

“While diagnosis of cancer is a health issue for the patient, it is a source of financial distress for the entire family,” says Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Deputy Director, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology, Tata Memorial Centre and Director, International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies. “Actual treatment costs are rising every year with the introduction of newer technology, drugs, intervention and diagnostic procedures,” he adds, arguing for capping prices of drugs, equipment and procedures.