In an alarming prediction, India may see a surge in cancer cases in the coming years which can go up to 20 lakhs per year by 2026, according to an estimate by AIIMS based on the data provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The figure surely looks alarming as according to the experts, 13-14 lakh people are getting affected by the deadly disease each year in India.
According to the World Health Organization, cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs; the latter process is referred to as metastasis. Metastases are the primary cause of death from cancer.
While cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factors, inter alia, include ageing population, sedentary lifestyle, use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet and air pollution.
Amid all terrifying attributes, experts say that people have misconception about cancer being incurable which is completely dubious. They underline that the disease can be cured if diagnosed on time and as such an awareness campaign becomes all the more important to impart information to the public.
If spotted early, the chances of survival increase significantly and one can expect a better quality of life. There are different stages of cancer and each stage denotes how far the cancer has grown or progressed to nearby tissues.
While cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factors, inter alia, include ageing population, sedentary lifestyle, use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet and air pollution.
Cancers of the lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus were the most common cancers among men. Cancers of the breast and cervix uteri were the most common cancers among women, the report said.
In 2020, tobacco related cancers are estimated to contribute 3.7 lakhs (27.1%) of the total cancer burden.
As per the officials, cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care facilities. The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or “highly subsidized” for the poor and needy, the Ministry of Health informed the parliament recently.
It is time perhaps to focus on preventive measures. Administration must take the lead. People also must take measures and hear views from experts.