India Faces Sharp Rise In Cancer Burden By 2030: Expert Explains Why

India is likely to experience a big increase in cancer cases by 2030, and doctors throughout the country are already seeing more cases in their hospitals and clinics. While statistics usually highlight numbers, the true story is in the everyday actions, environmental changes, and shifts in population that are slowly creating this increasing health issue.

An Ageing Population and Longer Life Expectancy

One of the main causes of the increasing cancer cases is changes in the population structure. As people are living longer, more individuals are reaching ages where the risk of developing cancer tends to rise naturally. Doctors say that cancer mostly happens when cells get older. When people live longer, the total number of cancer cases increases, even if each person's chance of getting cancer stays the same.

Lifestyle Shifts and Urban Living

Fast city growth has caused changes in how people live, which greatly affects the chance of getting cancer. Eating a lot of processed foods, not being active enough, more people being overweight, and lots of people using tobacco and alcohol are big reasons for these health problems. Doctors are seeing more cases of cancers connected to how people live, like breast, colon, and mouth cancers, especially in younger people.

Environmental and Occupational Exposure

Air pollution, dirty water, and contact with industrial chemicals are becoming bigger problems. Doctors are starting to connect long-term exposure to bad air quality with an increased risk of lung and head and neck cancers, even in people who don't smoke. Working in some jobs can increase the risk over time because of repeated exposure.

Infections Still Play a Role in India

In contrast to many Western countries, cancer caused by infections is still a major issue in India. Long-term infections like human papillomavirus and hepatitis B and C can lead to serious illnesses such as cervical cancer and liver cancer. Doctors say that a lot of these cancers can be prevented by getting vaccinated, finding them early, and getting treatment on time, but there are still problems with people knowing about them and having access to these services.

Delayed Diagnosis and Limited Screening

A major challenge remains late presentation. Many patients go to the doctor only when their symptoms start affecting their everyday activities. Early warning signs are usually overlooked or treated as usual. Doctors say that not having easy access to regular check-ups, especially in areas that are not near big cities often mean cancer is found later. When cancer is diagnosed at a more advanced stage, it is harder to treat, and the chances of recovery are lower.

Better Detection Also Means Higher Numbers

Interestingly, some of the increase is because there's a better ability to diagnose cases now. Better imaging, more pathologist help, and more awareness are finding more cases that used to go unnoticed before. From a doctor's point of view, this is a step forward, not a setback, because finding problems early can help people live longer.

What Can Be Done Now

Experts say that stopping problems before they start should be a top focus for public health. Keeping people from using tobacco, starting vaccination programs, cutting down on pollution, and promoting healthy lifestyles are all really important. It's just as important to improve primary healthcare so that early screening can take place and people can be referred on time.

A Human Perspective

Behind every number there's a family living in fear, unsure of what the future holds. Doctors say that even if more people could get cancer later on, it doesn't mean cancer can't be treated or managed. Finding issues early, getting the best care, and making good choices can really change the outcome.

As India gets nearer to 2030, the focus should shift from treating cancer once it occurs to preventing it before it even begins. Being aware, having access, and taking action now will help create the future of the cancer story. For prevention and early diagnosis, we can take help of artificial intelligence to reach a population which has low means to access right place for diagnosis.

(By Dr. Sowrabh Kumar Arora, Principal Director & Clinical Administrator, Surgical Oncology (Head & Neck), Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali)

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