The study identified smoking, alcohol consumption, and exposure to ambient particulate matter pollution as dominant cancer risk factors
IndiGlobal Bureau
The scourge of cancer does not seem to die down soon. According to a study involving experts from prestigious institutions such as the National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Jodhpur and Bathinda, in 2019, the country witnessed approximately 1.2 million new cancer cases and 9,30,000 deaths.
The rise of cancer cases is worrisome and India is the second largest in Asia for cancer cases. The findings of the study were published in The Lancet journal.
The research, encompassing data from 49 Asian countries over nearly three decades (1990-2019), underscores Indiaâs significant role in the escalating cancer crisis in Asia. The continent collectively reported an alarming 9.4 million new cancer cases and 5.6 million deaths in 2019. China topped the list with 4.8 million new cases and 2.7 million fatalities, followed by Japan with approximately 9,00,000 new cases and 4,40,000 deaths.
Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancers emerged as the predominant cancers in Asia, causing an estimated 1.3 million cases and 1.2 million deaths. Notably, cervical cancer was a significant concern among women, emphasizing the critical role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in prevention efforts.
The study identified smoking, alcohol consumption, and exposure to ambient particulate matter pollution as dominant cancer risk factors in the region. The growing cancer burden, particularly in nations with high levels of air pollution like India, Nepal, Qatar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, is a major cause for concern.
Another significant finding was the prevalence of smokeless tobacco products such as khaini, gutka, betel quid, and paan masala in South Asian countries, notably contributing to oral cancers. India alone accounted for nearly a third of global deaths and over a quarter of new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer in 2019.
The researchers highlighted the necessity to tackle factors contributing to rising cancer rates, including industrial expansion, urbanisation, migration, and increased motor vehicle usage. They also pointed out that improved water and sanitation could help in reducing Helicobacter pylori transmission, potentially decreasing stomach cancer risks.
The study noted a trend of decreasing cancer burden in younger populations and an increase in cancer rates correlating with longer life expectancies in developing countries. It emphasised the importance of timely cancer screening and treatment availability, particularly in low and medium-income countries where cancer care infrastructure is often lacking or unaffordable.