Incidences of cancer are rising in India over the last few years. Cancer has multifactorial etiology. Addictions (smoking, tobacco consumption and alcohol), lifestyle, food habits, and aging are important risk factors for different cancer. As per latest Globocon data, India will have about 1.2 million new cancer patients and about 2.2 million treated cancer survivors. The commonest cancers in a male are lip, oral cavity, lung followed by stomach and colorectal cancer. In females, commonest cancers are breast, cervix followed by ovaries and oral cavity cancers.

The prognosis and survival of cancer depend on early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In the Indian population, we see a majority of patients coming for treatment at a very advanced stage or when cancer has already spread to other organs. This reduces the chances of cancer control and survival.

There is a lack of awareness about early warning symptoms and signs for common cancers. In addition, there is a lot of social taboo about cancer which inhibits patients to come forward for cancer treatment.

Dr. Nikhil Kalyani, Department of Radiation Oncology, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre talks about the warning symptoms and signs which should require advice and evaluation by an oncologist.