Cancer is steadily emerging as one of India’s most serious public health concerns. According to the latest estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), nearly one in every 10 Indians is at risk of developing cancer before the age of 75.
The report also says that about seven in every 100 Indians face the risk of dying from cancer before reaching the age of 75.
India Reported Over 1.4 Million New Cancer Cases in 2022
According to the data, India recorded 1.41 million new cancer cases and 916,827 cancer-related deaths in 2022.
The report also found that more than 3.25 million people in the country were living with a cancer diagnosis that had been made within the previous five years.
Cancer Cases Expected to Rise Sharply by 2050
The burden of cancer is expected to grow further in the coming decades. Estimates presented in the WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 show that India had approximately 1.6 million new cancer cases in 2024, along with around 900,000 deaths.
Experts now project that the number of new cancer cases could rise to 2.8 million annually by 2050, mainly due to population growth, an ageing population and changing lifestyles.
India and China Account for More Than Half of the Global Cancer Burden
The report says India and China together account for more than half of the world’s cancer burden, making Asia the global epicentre of the disease.
Experts warn that without stronger prevention measures and early detection, the region’s share of the global cancer burden is likely to increase further in the coming decades.
Why Is Cancer Increasing in India?
Experts say several factors are contributing to the rising number of cancer cases. One major reason is increasing life expectancy. As people live longer, the number of individuals vulnerable to cancer also rises.
Lifestyle changes linked to rapid urbanisation are also playing a significant role. Rising obesity, unhealthy eating habits, reduced physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption and prolonged exposure to air pollution are contributing to the growing number of cancer cases.
Smoking continues to be a leading cause of lung cancer. At the same time, smokeless tobacco products such as gutkha, khaini and betel quid remain a major reason why India has one of the world’s highest burdens of oral cancer.
Experts also note that improved diagnostic facilities have helped detect more cancers than in previous decades. However, they stress that better detection alone does not fully explain the increasing number of cases.
Prevention Has Become More Important Than Ever
Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Unit at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), said prevention has become especially important in India.
She noted that lung, oral cavity, cervical, breast and colorectal cancers together account for a substantial share of the country’s disease burden.
She also highlighted major differences in access to healthcare between metropolitan cities and nearby rural districts, where delayed diagnosis is common.
Breast Cancer Is the Most Common Cancer in India
India’s cancer pattern differs significantly from that seen in many Western countries. According to the report, breast cancer was the most common cancer in India, with 192,020 new cases in 2022. It was followed by:
Lip and oral cavity cancer: 143,759 cases
Cervical cancer: 127,526 cases
Lung cancer: 81,748 cases
Oesophageal cancer: 70,637 cases
Breast and Cervical Cancer Remain Major Concerns for Women
Among women, breast cancer accounts for more than one in every four new cancer diagnoses, making it the most common cancer among females.
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women, despite being largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening.
Early Prevention and Screening Are Key
Experts believe that reducing tobacco and alcohol use, adopting healthier lifestyles, improving access to healthcare, increasing cancer screening and expanding HPV vaccination can help reduce India’s growing cancer burden.
With cancer cases expected to rise significantly in the coming decades, they stress that prevention, early diagnosis and timely treatment will be critical in saving lives.
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