1 in 10 Indians will develop cancer during lifetime: WHO

United Nations, February 4

India had an estimated 11.6 lakh new cancer cases in 2018, according to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which said one in 10 Indians will develop cancer during their lifetime and one in 15 will die of the disease.

WHO and its specialised International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have released two reports: one aimed at setting the global agenda on the disease; the other focused on research and prevention.

The World Cancer Report said according to the estimated cancer burden in India in 2018, there are about 11.6 lakh new cancer cases, 784,800 cancer deaths, and 22.6 lakh 5-year prevalent cases in India’s population of 135 crore.

The report said: “One in 10 Indians will develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in 15 Indians will die of cancer.” “Cancer patterns in India are dominated by a high burden of tobacco-related head and neck cancers, particularly oral cancer, in men and of cervical cancer in women; both of these cancer types are associated with lower socioeconomic status,” the report said.

The burden of cancer types, such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer, associated with overweight and obesity, lower levels of physical activity, and sedentary lifestyles is increasing and these cancer types are associated with higher socioeconomic status.

The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in the most developed states in India and in urban populations. — PTI

Low, middle-income nations worst-hit

60% rise in cancer cases over next 20 years, WHO fears, in low and middle-income countries

50% of world’s male smokers live in three countries — China, India, and Indonesia

16.4 cr smokeless tobacco users, 6.9 cr smokers, and 4.2 cr smokers and chewers in India

34–69% tobacco-related cancer cases in men, 10–27% in women in India