India thrust into spotlight as "cancer capital of the world"

Fourth edition of Apollo Hospitals’ Health of Nation Report says

Prevalence of NCDs including cancer impacting public health

India has been thrust into the spotlight as the “cancer capital of the world” according to a recent report on the nation’s health landscape. The fourth edition of Apollo Hospitals’ Health of Nation Report, unveiled on April 7, World Health Day 2024, revealed a concerning surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cancer cases, across the country.

The report highlighted staggering statistics: one in three Indians is pre-diabetic, two in three are pre-hypertensive, and one in 10 suffers from depression. The prevalence of NCDs, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders, has reached alarming levels, severely impacting public health in India.

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Of particular concern is the exponential rise in cancer cases, outpacing global rates and earning India its somber title. Breast cancer, cervix cancer, and ovarian cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women, while lung cancer, mouth cancer, and prostate cancer top the list for men.

Despite the lower median age for cancer diagnosis compared to other countries, cancer screening rates in India remain dismally low. This concerning trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced awareness, early detection, and improved access to healthcare services across the nation.

As India grapples with its burgeoning healthcare challenges, concerted efforts are imperative to mitigate the burden of NCDs and alleviate the strain on the country’s healthcare infrastructure.