India is the ‘cancer capital of the world’, with the world’s fastest-growing number of infected people, says report

A recent report on the health situation in India has revealed alarming trends in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with a sharp rise in cancer cases across the country, a PTI report said.

The fourth edition of the Apollo Hospitals National Health Report, released on World Health Day 2024, termed India as the ‘cancer capital of the world’.

According to the report, one in three Indians has pre-diabetes, two in three have pre-hypertension and one in 10 suffers from depression. The prevalence of NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders has reached critical levels and is having a major impact on the health of the population.

India: the new “cancer capital”

Of particular concern is the rapid rise in cancer cases, which has surpassed the global incidence rate and earned India the title of “cancer capital of the world”. The report warns of a potential medical crisis as conditions such as prediabetes, prehypertension and mental health disorders appear at a younger age.

The most common cancers occurring in India are breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer in women. For men, the most common cases are lung, oral cavity, and prostate cancer.

Notably, the median age of cancer diagnosis in India is lower than in other countries, yet the country’s cancer screening uptake remains very low, the release said. ing.

Key findings of the report

• The report revealed that Indians are at significantly increased risk of obesity, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.
• Obesity rates jumped from 9% in 2016 to 20% in 2023.
• Over the same period, cases of hypertension increased from 9 percent to 13 percent.
• A high percentage of Indians were also at risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Urgent need for health checkup, unified action needed

The report highlights the importance of regular health check-ups and the role of monitoring blood pressure and BMI levels in reducing the risk of heart-related diseases. Although awareness of the importance of health screening is increasing, there is still a need to expand its reach across India.

Dr Preeta Reddy, Deputy Director, Apollo Hospitals, emphasized the importance of collectively tackling NCDs. She emphasized the need for a national effort to effectively fight these diseases through education and personalized preventive health solutions.

“We strongly believe that to truly combat NCDs, the healthcare ecosystem and the nation need to come together and have a unified perspective. There is a critical need for immediate intervention to combat, prevent and reverse these diseases, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, among others. The need to create medical solutions has never been greater,” Dr. Reddy said.

He supported prioritizing investments in health infrastructure, promoting preventive health measures and addressing health disparities to pave the way for sustainable development in the health sector.

Dr. Madhu Sasidar, President and CEO of Apollo Hospitals, emphasized the need for innovation and increased accessibility in preventive healthcare. He emphasized leveraging technology to enhance disease prevention, diagnostic accuracy, and patient-centered treatment methodologies.

(With inputs from PTI)