On the occasion of World Health Day, India was declared the “Cancer Capital” of the world. According to Apollo Hospitals’ Health of Nation Report, there were 14 lakh patients with cancer in 2020, which can increase up to 20 lakhs in 2040.
Many other aspects were also considered in the report, other than cancer. It has come to notice that the youth of India has become more vulnerable to non-communicable diseases.
One-third of Indians are pre-diabetic, which means they can fall prey to diabetes at any time. At the same time, two-thirds of Indians are at the stage of pre-hypertension, that is, they are about to get into hypertension.
Reasons for high cancer rates
Changing lifestyles, changes in the environment, social and economic challenges are the reasons behind the increasing cases of cancer in India.
Tobacco use is increasing the risk of lung, mouth, and throat cancer. Air pollution causes cancer-causing particles to enter the body, increasing the risk of developing various types of cancer. Obesity is on the rise due to the increased consumption of processed foods and reduced physical activity, which is leading to an increase in breast cancer and colon cancer.
Late marriages and late age of pregnancy are responsible for increasing the incidence of breast and ovarian cancer in urban females.
The most common cancer in India
1) Breast Cancer – It is one of the most common cancers affecting women. women affected by this are mostly younger than 50 years. This cancer is mainly caused by factors like late marriages, childbirth, limited breastfeeding practices, genetics, hormonal imbalance, alcohol, lifestyle, lack of exercise, and unhealthy diet.
2) Cervical Cancer – Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer found in Indian women. It is primarily due to a lack of hygiene and awareness. This type of cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus. Apart from this, there is a possibility of cervical cancer due to unsafe sex, having sex with more than one person, smoking, lack of nutrition, and weak immunity due to other health conditions.
3) Oral Cancer- Due to the rampant use of smokeless tobacco, such as gutka and paan masala in India, rapid growth has been seen in oral cancer cases. This type of cancer affects the mouth of the victim. The condition gets worse when there is less consumption of fruits and vegetables in the diet.
4) Prostate Cancer- This is the most common type of cancer seen in males. Prostate cancer means cancer cells form in the prostate tissue. Prostate cancer grows slowly compared to most other cancers. Cell changes may begin 10, 20, or 30 years before the tumor becomes large enough to cause symptoms.
5) Lung Cancer- This cancer is commonly seen in chain smokers. Apart from this, its other risk factors include air pollution, exposure to radon gas, and family history. There are mostly two types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell.
Ways to reduce the risk of cancer
1) Eat a healthy diet – A balanced diet is very important for one to remain fit and healthy. A balanced diet must include whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
2) Regular medical screening – Numerous cancer screening tests are available to aid in cancer prevention. Early detection of cancer can help therapy start at the proper moment. 3) Health checkups regularly – Cancer may be undiagnosed for quite a while since it takes a long time to spread and develop symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to have routine health examinations to identify early disease symptoms and receive treatment.
4) Less sun exposure- Although being in the sun is beneficial to health, overexposure can cause skin cancer. Thus, it’s crucial to use sunscreen and other protective gear to shield yourself from the sun.
5) Quit smoking, tobacco, and alcohol consumption- The use of any sort of tobacco products can boost the risk of cancer. Drinking too much alcohol also increases your risk of developing cancer and other dangerous illnesses. This condition of the liver brought on by heavy drinking can eventually result in cancer.
