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Increasing Incidence of Cancer Calls for Greater Awareness

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Not only have the numbers increased, but the age of incidence of cancer is also markedly low today, causing a sense of alarm among doctors and experts.

Increasing urbanisation, lifestyle changes, high levels of industrial and environmental pollution and the accidental entry of chemicals into the human food chain are factors that are spurring an alarming rise in cancer incidence in India.

Not only have the numbers of several cancers increased in recent years, but in an alarming trend, the average age of incidence has also reduced drastically in recent years. According to recent trends, we see more than 12 lac patients a year in India, more than half of whom are diagnosed in advanced stages.

While there is no comprehensive data to suggest the increase in cancer incidence in Pune, clinical evidence estimates a rise of 3 to 4 per cent every year in the number of cases diagnosed over the past decade.

There is no doubt that cancer incidence has increased, and cancer is becoming more common than it was thought to be a few decades ago. Another trend observed is the falling average age of incidence.

The average age at diagnosis in India is approximately 5 to 10 years lower than in Western countries. Also, many of these malignancies are biologically more aggressive as compared to Western patients and hence, outcomes are a little less favourable.

While the most common cancers in men are head and neck cancers, in females, cervical and breast cancers are in the majority. With rapid urbanisation and changes in lifestyles, breast cancer is rapidly becoming more rampant as compared to cervical cancer, especially in urban areas where women are delaying marriages and pregnancies.

Many contributing factors contribute to the increased incidence of cancer. Traditionally, the incidence of cancer was high in the Western world. However, today, developing countries like India are also experiencing a spike in disease numbers. Changes in dietary habits from traditional to Western, increasing intake of processed/ preserved/packaged foods, and decreasing consumption of raw vegetables and fruits are factors that are being recognised as probable risk factors.

Another hazardous factor is the rampant use of industrial and environmental toxicants in our air and water bodies, which find their way into our fruits and vegetables. Excessive use of pesticides and chemicals used for artificial ripening also pollutes fruits and vegetables.

The causes of rising cancer incidence include lifestyle changes, industrialisation and urbanisation and increased smoking, tobacco and alcohol addictions among both sexes. Early age of menarche, late menopause, late childbearing, and less or no breastfeeding are factors that increase women’s risk of suffering from breast cancer.

Breast cancer has already become the leading cancer among women in urban areas where such lifestyle changes have occurred in the past 2 decades as compared to rural areas where cervical cancer incidence remains higher than breast cancer.

Lack of awareness is one of the leading challenges faced by India in fighting cancer. Most diagnoses in India happen in advanced stages (stages 3 or 4), unlike the West, where regular screenings have ensured that most cases are diagnosed in early stages and treated.

A delay in diagnosis often means that a treatable disease becomes untreatable. Due to a lack of education and awareness, many people, especially in rural areas, tend to see local medical practitioners who might lack sufficient knowledge of the disease or fall for people selling Ayurvedic medicines.

According to the World Cancer Report 2014, commissioned by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO’s research body, Cancers are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths in 2012.

While the five most common cancers among men in 2012 were lung, prostate, colorectum, stomach, and liver cancer, among women, the five most common sites diagnosed were breast, colorectum, lung, cervix, and stomach cancer.

What is scary is the estimate that cases are expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades, calling for urgent attention to prevention and lifestyle modification.

WHO believes that around one-third of cancer deaths are due to the five leading behavioural and dietary risks, which are High body mass index, Low fruit and vegetable intake, Lack of physical activity, Tobacco consumption, Alcohol intake

A sedentary lifestyle that includes a lack of exercise, eating junk foods, and careless use of chemicals in foods can increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, adopting such as regular exercise, eating food on time, intake of nutritional food, and quitting habits like smoking and alcohol can help in preventing cancer.

Yes, many, if not all, cancers can be prevented by following lifestyle modifications:

  • Healthy and balanced diet; reducing intake of packaged foods that contain added preservatives
  • Maintaining a balanced weight
  • Lots of antioxidants in the diet, including fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid excessive exposure to chemicals, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before use, and eat only seasonal fruits and vegetables, as stored food is preserved using chemicals and preservatives.
  • Avoiding addictions

FAQs

  1. What are the leading causes of rising cancer cases in Pune?
    Urbanisation, lifestyle changes, pollution, and chemical exposure in food are significant factors contributing to the increase in cancer incidence in Pune.
  2. How common is cancer diagnosis at Sahyadri Hospital?
    Sahyadri Hospital treats numerous cancer cases yearly, with many patients diagnosed in advanced stages due to delayed awareness and screening.
  3. What are the most common types of cancer in men and women in India?
    The most common cancers in men are head and neck cancers, while women commonly face breast and cervical cancers, with breast cancer rising in urban areas.
  4. How can I reduce my risk of developing cancer?
    Adopting a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol can help reduce cancer risk.
  5. Why is early cancer detection important?

Early detection significantly improves treatment success. Many cancers detected early are more treatable, reducing mortality and improving quality of life.

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