Cancer cases rise 4 times within one year in India
In 2018, the number of people diagnosed with common cancers at state-run NCD clinic shot up four times as compared to the year before, government data has revealed. According to the 2019 National Health Profile, almost 1.7 lakh people were diagnosed with common cancers- including oral, cervical and breast cancer- last year, up from nearly 40,000 such cases in 2017. Here are more details.
In 2018, 1.68 lakh people diagnosed with common cancers
Reportedly, over 6.5 crore people visited NCD clinics across India in 2018, out of whom, 1.68 lakh were diagnosed with cases of cancer. The cases grew drastically compared to 2017, when 39,635 people, out of the 3.6 crore who visited NCD clinics, were diagnosed with cancer. Although attendees at NCD clinics also increased, but incidents of cancer rose 2.3 times from 2017 to 2018.
Gujarat recorded highest number of common cancer cases
Notably, Gujarat recorded the most number of cases of common cancer (72,169), 18 times more than the state's figures in 2017. Gujarat was followed by Karnataka (20,084), Maharashtra (14,103), Telangana (13,130), and West Bengal (11,897). In all these states, the figures rose sharply as compared to the previous year. Figures from Delhi, Lakshadweep and Dadar & Nagar Haveli, however, were not reported.
Sedentary lifestyle, tobacco, alcohol contribute to cancer: Expert
Speaking about increasing cases of cancer, Dr. Harpreet Singh, senior consultant oncologist at Action Cancer Hospital, told The Times of India, "Consumption of tobacco is a major factor contributing to oral cancers, especially when it's coupled with alcohol, the risk and incidence is much higher." She added, "A sedentary lifestyle and rising rate of obesity are causing an increase in all kind of cancers."
