Cancer risk in India rises to 1 in 9, new data reveals

India is witnessing a concerning rise in cancer cases, with new data revealing that one in nine Indians now faces a lifetime risk of developing the disease. According to an analysis of data from 43 Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs), covering the years 2015 to 2019, the country recorded approximately 15.6 lakh (1.56 million) new cancer cases in 2024 alone, resulting in around 8.74 lakh (874,000) deaths.

Though these registries cover only 10% to 18% of the population across 23 states and union territories, they offer crucial insights into the nation’s shifting cancer landscape.

Women report more cases, but fare better

The data show that 51.1% of all reported cancer cases were among women. Encouragingly, women experienced a comparatively lower mortality rate of 45%, in contrast to higher fatality rates seen in men.

According to Dr Prashant Mathur, Director of ICMR’s National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, two cancers—breast and cervical—account for nearly 40% of cases in women. Both types are more likely to be detected early, leading to better treatment outcomes.

Lung and stomach cancer plague Indian men

In contrast, men are more frequently affected by lung and stomach cancers, which are notoriously difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Dr Abhishek Shankar, an oncologist at AIIMS, noted that these cancers often present late, contributing to India’s high cancer mortality rate among men.

While breast cancer is often detected when women notice symptoms such as lumps, lung cancer tends to progress silently, making timely treatment far more difficult.

Oral cancer tops the list among men

Strikingly, oral cancer has now overtaken lung cancer to become the most common cancer among Indian men. This trend persists despite a decline in tobacco use, with the Global Adult Tobacco Survey noting a drop in adult tobacco consumption from 34.6% in 2009–10 to 28.6% in 2016–17.

Experts suggest that alcohol consumption is playing a growing role in the surge of oral cancer cases. Alcohol not only heightens the risk of liver cancer but also cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, and colon. When combined with tobacco use, the risks increase dramatically.

North-East India hit hardest

The highest cancer incidence rates in the country have been recorded in India’s North-Eastern states, particularly for cervical, lung, and oral cancers among women. Several socio-cultural factors are believed to contribute to this worrying trend:

High tobacco use among both genders

Traditional diets rich in smoked, dried, and spicy meats and fish

High prevalence of infection-related diseases such as HPV, H. pylori, and hepatitis

Among the North-Eastern states, Mizoram stands out with the highest lifetime risk of cancer in the country—21.1% for men and 18.9% for women, nearly double the national average.

Prevention and early detection

Despite the rising numbers, health experts remain optimistic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30% to 50% of cancers are preventable, and early detection significantly improves survival rates.

Public health professionals stress the need for:

• Regular cancer screenings
• Vaccination programmes (especially for HPV and hepatitis B)
• Awareness campaigns
• Lifestyle modifications, including reduced alcohol and tobacco use

India’s growing cancer burden highlights the urgent need for nationwide action. Improved early detection, preventive strategies, and access to timely treatment could save hundreds of thousands of lives each year.