Over 5 Lakh Preventable Cancer Cases in India: WHO-IARC Study Highlights Critical Risk Factors
A groundbreaking analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has revealed a startling statistic: in India, approximately 5.2 lakh (520,000) cancer cases are preventable for both women and men. This figure represents nearly 4 in 10 (37.1%) of all cancer cases in the country, underscoring the significant impact of modifiable risk factors on the nation's cancer burden.
Global and Indian Context of Preventable Cancers
Globally, the study estimates that four in ten cancer cases could be prevented, with 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022—around 7.1 million—linked to avoidable causes. The research, which examined data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, identified 30 preventable causes, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and, for the first time, nine cancer-causing infections.
In India, the top modifiable contributors to cancer are infections, accounting for 13.4% of the total cancer burden, followed by tobacco smoking at 10.5%, and smokeless tobacco and areca nut consumption at 5%. The burden is notably higher among men, with over 4 in 10 cancers (44.7%; more than 305,000 cases) due to modifiable risk factors, compared to around 3 in 10 among women (30.5%; approximately 218,000 cases).
Gender-Specific Preventable Cancers in India
For Men: The analysis highlights that the top preventable cancers among Indian men include:
- Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer: More than 85,000 cases can be prevented, primarily due to smokeless tobacco, areca nut consumption, and tobacco smoking.
- Lung Cancer: Over 45,000 cases are potentially preventable, mainly linked to tobacco smoking.
- Stomach Cancer: More than 31,000 cases are avoidable, largely due to infectious agents.
Key modifiable factors for men include tobacco smoking (18.5% of new cases), smokeless tobacco and areca nut (7.7%), and infections (7.6%).
For Women: The study identifies the following as top preventable cancers among Indian women:
- Cervical Cancer: More than 127,000 cases are potentially preventable, mainly due to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
- Breast Cancer: Over 25,000 cases can be avoided, linked to insufficient physical activity and excess body weight.
- Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer: More than 20,000 cases are preventable, primarily from smokeless tobacco and areca nut consumption.
Leading modifiable contributors for women are infections (20.2% of new cases), insufficient physical activity (2.7%), and smokeless tobacco and areca nut (2.4%).
Expert Insights and Calls for Action
Dr. Andre Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and an author of the study, emphasized that by analyzing patterns across countries and populations, governments and individuals can receive more specific information to prevent cancer before it starts. Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit, noted that this landmark study provides a comprehensive assessment of preventable cancers worldwide, incorporating infectious causes alongside behavioral, environmental, and occupational risks.
Dr. Partha Basu, Head of Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch at IARC (WHO), highlighted the importance of reviewing India's National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPNCD). He pointed out that the program lacks SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) objectives for cancer prevention, as recommended by WHO, making progress monitoring difficult.
According to Dr. Basu, the two most critical infection-preventable cancers in India are cervical and gastric cancers. He expressed concern over delays in introducing the HPV vaccine, which puts thousands of young girls from low socio-economic backgrounds at lifetime risk of cervical cancer. Additionally, he noted low awareness about gastric cancer's link to H. pylori infection and called for improved access to potable drinking water and healthy food storage to reduce incidence.
While praising the government for raising taxes to curb tobacco consumption, Dr. Basu flagged concerns about low taxes in the unorganized tobacco sector (e.g., bidi) and the increasing availability of unregulated tobacco products like imported cigarettes and Shisha.
Conclusion: A Path Forward for Cancer Prevention
This WHO-IARC study serves as a crucial wake-up call for India, highlighting that over half a million cancer cases can be prevented through targeted interventions. By addressing key risk factors such as infections, tobacco use, and lifestyle habits, and strengthening public health programs like the NPNCD, India can make significant strides in reducing its cancer burden. As World Cancer Day approaches, the findings underscore the urgent need for collaborative efforts between policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to turn the tide against preventable cancers.
