Report declares India as world’s ‘cancer capital’ with fastest-growing cases globally

A recent report on India’s health scene has revealed some worrying trends in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to a PTI report, cancer cases are shooting up across the country.

Released on World Health Day 2024, the 4th edition of Apollo Hospitals’ Health of Nation Report dubbed India the “cancer capital of the world”. That’s a serious title to hold.

Here’s the gist of what the report found: 

– One in three Indians is pre-diabetic.

– Two in three are pre-hypertensive.

– And one in 10 suffers from depression.

Basically, NCDs like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and mental health issues are reaching scary levels in India.

The report is really ringing alarm bells about cancer. It’s spreading faster here than in other parts of the world. We’re even surpassing global rates. That’s why we’ve earned the not-so-great title of “cancer capital of the world”.

The report warns that we could face a major healthcare crisis if conditions like pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension, and mental health problems start showing up in younger people.

When it comes to cancer, the most common types for women are breast cancer, cervix cancer, and ovarian cancer. For men, it’s lung cancer, mouth cancer, and prostate cancer.

Here’s a real shocker: the age at which people are getting diagnosed with cancer in India is lower than in other countries. Despite this, not many people are getting screened for it.

Let’s break down the key findings of the report:

1. More Indians are becoming obese, getting hypertension, and facing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

2. Obesity rates shot up from 9 percent in 2016 to 20 percent in 2023.

3. Cases of hypertension increased from 9 percent to 13 percent in the same time frame.

4. Many Indians are at risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The report stresses how crucial regular health check-ups are. Keeping an eye on blood pressure and body mass index levels can help catch heart-related problems early on. While more people are realizing this, health check-ups need to reach every corner of India.

Dr. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, says we need to tackle NCDs together. Educating people and offering personalized preventive healthcare are key. Dr. Reddy believes it’s high time we all join forces to fight against diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

She suggests investing more in health infrastructure, promoting preventive healthcare, and bridging health disparities to ensure a healthier future for all.

Dr. Madhu Sasidhar, President & CEO of Apollo Hospitals, adds that we need to get innovative in preventive healthcare. Using technology to improve disease prevention, diagnosis, and patient-centered treatments is crucial.