18 Sep 2025: Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with rising cases being reported across developing and developed nations alike. In India, health experts emphasize that early intervention, preventive screening, and greater public awareness are the most effective strategies to reduce the growing burden of the disease.
The Rising Challenge
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India records over 14 lakh new cancer cases annually, and the numbers are projected to rise significantly in the next decade. Lifestyle-related factors—such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and poor dietary habits—remain key contributors. Environmental pollution and delayed diagnosis further aggravate the crisis.
Despite advancements in treatment technologies, many patients still present with cancer at advanced stages, where survival rates drop dramatically. Experts warn that late detection not only reduces survival chances but also increases treatment costs and emotional distress for families.
Why Early Detection Matters
Oncologists stress that cancers such as breast, cervical, oral, and colorectal cancers are highly treatable when detected in early stages. Routine screenings like mammography, Pap smears, oral check-ups, and colonoscopies can significantly improve survival outcomes.
Dr. Ritu Anand, a leading oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, noted:
“We are seeing younger patients in India developing cancers due to lifestyle changes. Regular health check-ups and awareness campaigns must become part of our national health policy.”
Early detection allows doctors to apply less aggressive treatment, leading to fewer side effects, lower medical costs, and better quality of life for patients.
The Role of Awareness
Public awareness about cancer symptoms, risk factors, and available screening programs remains low, especially in rural areas. Many people ignore early warning signs such as persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, lumps, or abnormal bleeding.
Health experts believe mass awareness campaigns—similar to polio eradication drives—are necessary to break myths and reduce stigma. “Cancer is no longer a death sentence,” says Dr. Anand. “With timely diagnosis, many cancers are curable.”
Government and Policy Initiatives
The Indian government has launched several programs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to integrate early screening at primary health centers.
Mobile screening vans, telemedicine consultations, and digital awareness campaigns are being expanded in urban and semi-urban regions. However, experts argue that greater investment is needed to scale up infrastructure and improve access in remote areas.
Lifestyle and Preventive Care
Preventive measures can cut down a significant portion of cancer risk. Doctors recommend:
- Tobacco and Alcohol Cessation: Tobacco-related cancers still account for nearly 30–40% of cases in India.
- Healthy Diet and Exercise: A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables lowers cancer risk.
- HPV and Hepatitis Vaccines: Widely promoting these vaccines could prevent cervical and liver cancers.
- Regular Check-ups: Especially for high-risk groups with family histories of cancer.
Mumbai Perspective
As India’s financial capital, Mumbai has some of the country’s best cancer research and treatment facilities, including Tata Memorial Centre, which treats over 60,000 patients annually. Yet, oncologists here see a worrying trend: an increasing number of young professionals in their 30s and 40s diagnosed with lifestyle-related cancers such as colorectal and breast cancer.
This urban trend underscores the need for workplace-based screening programs and awareness drives targeted at younger populations who often neglect health check-ups due to busy schedules.
The Road Ahead
Experts believe India can make significant progress against cancer by combining medical advancements with public health strategies. Increasing the availability of affordable diagnostics, training healthcare workers, and ensuring wider insurance coverage for cancer treatment are critical steps.
Above all, the focus must shift from late-stage treatment to prevention and early detection, which not only saves lives but also reduces the overall burden on families and the healthcare system.
Summary
Experts highlight early detection and awareness as vital to reducing cancer’s impact. Preventive care, lifestyle changes, and nationwide awareness campaigns can save lives, cut treatment costs, and improve survival outcomes in India.