India to see a sharp increase in cancer cases by 2045: ICMR
Source: CNBCTV18 | Original Published At: 2024-10-15 06:59:38 UTC
Key Points
- India's cancer cases projected to surge between 2022-2045, with oral/breast cancers rising
- South Africa faces similar cancer case increases
- Oral cancer linked to tobacco use dominates Indian men; breast cancer leads among women
- BRICS nations account for 42% of global cancer deaths; Russia has highest incidence rates
- Cancer causes $28B productivity loss in China and $101K per death cost in South Africa
Cancer cases and deaths in India are projected to surge between 2022 and 2045, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The study, which examined the incidence and impact of cancer across the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), highlighted concerns for India’s health system, with oral and breast cancers expected to rise.
The research team of Anita Nath, Ruchita Taneja, Yamini Saraswathi Thadi, Gokul Sarveswaran and Prashant Mathur noted a “12.8% increase in cancer incidence in India in 2025 compared to 2020 and that cancer incidence is continuing to stand up.”
South Africa, facing a similar pattern, will also see cancer cases spike in the coming years.
Among men in India, oral cancer, especially lip and mouth cancers, is the most common, driven by high tobacco consumption. Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women, and cervical cancer is also a major concern. Meanwhile, lung cancer is the most common type among women in China.
Researchers point out that oral cancer in India is much higher than in other countries, due to both smoked and smokeless tobacco use. They also note that low socioeconomic status adds to the risk of oral cancer. When it comes to cancer-related deaths, lung cancer is the leading cause in all BRICS nations except India, where breast cancer leads among women. The study found that oral cancer causes significant health impacts among Indian men, while breast cancer has the greatest effect on women in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
The researchers found that Russia had the highest rate of cancer incidence for both men and women, while South Africa recorded the highest cancer-related deaths among women.
The study also highlighted the significant economic burden cancer places on BRICS countries. According to a separate analysis published in Cancer Epidemiology, BRICS nations are responsible for 42% of global cancer-related deaths. China bore the highest total productivity loss, estimated at $28 billion, while South Africa faced the highest cost per cancer death at $101,000.
With India and South Africa expected to see the largest increase in new cancer cases by the next two decades, researchers urge governments and health authorities to reduce risk factors and improve healthcare systems.