National Cancer Awareness Day 2024: India's Fight Against Increasing Cancer Cases and Most Prevalent Types
National Cancer Awareness Day, on 7 November of each year, motivates the whole nation to fight against cancer and spread awareness regarding preventive measures, early detection, and the various treatment options. Many global health issues are brought before the people on this day, focusing primarily on the increasing phenomenon of cancer in India.
The Burden of Cancer in India Debriefed
Cancer rates have been hasteningly adorning the charts in India. Some of the main reasons include changes in lifestyle, tobacco, and a lack of awareness regarding early diagnosis. According to WHO, in 2022, more than 1.4 million cases of new cancers were reported in India, and over 910,000 cancer-related deaths. The International Agency for Research on Cancer also noted that India accounts for the global highest rates of oral, breast and cervical cancers.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) prospects a dismal rise in cases and deaths due to cancer from 2022 to 2045, with the incidence expected to rise by 12.8% in 2025 as compared to 2020. These statistics point towards multi-fold preventive as well as treatment approaches throughout the nation.
Common Cancers in India
The common cancers in India are oral cavity, breast, cervix, and lung, which is rapidly emerging as a common one among them.
Oral Cancer: Oral cancer, primarily the lip and mouth, is one of the most common cancers in men in India. Its very high prevalence is contributed mainly owing to widespread prevalence of tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, posing a major public health problem. IARC considers oral cancer as one of the leading causes of death from cancer among men.
Breast Cancer: This accounts for almost 27% of all female cancer cases in Indian women. In the last several years, campaigns and programs for the early detection have been working wonders, but it is hard to detect it early because of limited access to healthcare in rural areas.
Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer, accounting for nearly 18% of cases. Infections with human papillomavirus are primarily the cause of cervical cancer; the lack of widespread HPV vaccination has checked preventive efforts in this regard.
Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is on the rise among men and women and is also causing death due to cigarette smoking and air pollution. Prognostic features are usually quite abysmal, considering the fact that disease is usually diagnosed in the later stages.
National Cancer Control Programme: A Key Initiative
The National Cancer Control Programme was initiated by India in 1975, thereby alleviating the burden of cancer through resource provision, infrastructure, and education on lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of cancer. The programme underscores enormous awareness of the need to undertake regular screenings and the access of healthcare facilities to relatively deprived areas. It has substantially increased access to cancer treatment and care, but, of course, much work still needs to be done.
Future Prospects and the Need for Support
Incidence of Cancer is likely to keep on going up. India would need mass support for cancer treatment research in the near future. National Cancer Awareness Day brings home to everyone the point that what the Government, the Health Providers or the Public needs to do to handle cancer effectively together.
As we step forward to the future, reduction in the impact of cancer in India will depend on an integrated approach involving preventive measures, education, and better access to treatment.
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