A new study on India’s health paints a worrying picture.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise, with cancer cases exploding nationwide. The report, released by Apollo Hospitals for World Health Day 2024, has given India the grim title of “cancer capital of the world.”
The numbers don’t lie: one-third of Indians are pre-diabetic, two-thirds are pre-hypertensive, and one in ten struggles with depression.
These chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health issues, are reaching critical levels and significantly impacting the nation’s health.
Of particular concern is the skyrocketing number of cancer cases, exceeding global averages. The report also warns of a looming healthcare crisis as pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension, and mental health disorders are increasingly diagnosed in younger age groups.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), the incidence of cancer in India has been steadily increasing over the years. Dr Nikhil S Ghadyalpatil, director of medical oncology, senior consultant medical oncologist & hemato-oncologist, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad, said addressing the challenges requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders including government agencies, healthcare providers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), researchers, and the community.
A perfect storm of risk factors
The high incidence of cancer in India stems from a confluence of lifestyle, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges. Rampant tobacco use, both smoking and smokeless varieties, significantly elevates the risk of lung, oral, and throat cancers, as highlighted by Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli , clinical director-surgical oncology, sr. consultant surgical oncology and robotic surgical oncology, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad. Furthermore, air pollution from vehicles and industries exposes vast swathes of the population to carcinogenic substances, increasing the risk of various cancers.
