World Cancer Day 2023: Real cases to be 3 times higher than reported in India

Real cancer incidence level in India is estimated to be 15 to three times higher than reported incidence as 51 per cent patients take more than a week to conclude diagnosis while 46 per cent take second opinion due to lack of confidence in initial diagnosis and suggested treatment according to a study by FICCI and EY titled Call for Action Making quality cancer care more accessible and affordable in IndiaThe reported cancer incidence in India this year is estimated to be 19 to 20 lakh whereas real incidence is 15 to 3 times higher than the reported cases the study revealedIndia is faced with a sizable cancer incidence burden which continues to grow exponentially The 2020 WHO ranking on cancer burden in terms of new yearly cases being reported had ranked India at the third position after China and the US respectivelyFor cancer prevention early diagnosis and widespread public awareness will be integral and will serve as a beacon of light to strengthen Indias strategy for cancer care and other noncommunicable diseases said Ashok Kakkar Chair FICCI Task Force on Cancer CareWhile some of the most cuttingedge cancer treatment methods and technology are available in our country we still have a long way to go before we can ensure that cancer patients from every socioeconomic background receive the best possible care added Kakkar also Managing Director Varian Medical Systems International India Pvt LtdCancer disease burden in India is characterized by poor detection with not more than 29 per cent 15 per cent and 33 per cent of breast lung and cervical cancers being diagnosed in stages 1 and 2 respectivelyThe cancer of the head and neck are found to be progressing at a CAGR of 23 per cent prostate cancer at 19 per cent ovarian cancer at 11 per cent and breast cancer at 8 per cent which is faster than the overall growth rate of incidenceSix states which represent 18 per cent of Indias population have 23 per cent share of the countrys reported incidence burden and have the highest crude incidence ratesKerala Mizoram Tamil Nadu Karnataka Punjab and Assam report the highest overall crude incidence rates of cancers which is greater than 130 cases per lakh population the report mentionedEstimates indicate that the total deaths owing to cancer were 8 to 9 lakh in 2020 causing the mortality to incidence ratio for different cancer types in India to be among the poorest compared to global counterpartsTo address the dual challenge of rising incidence and suboptimal mortality to incidence ratio it is imperative to drive mass awareness campaigns focus on effective prevention and enable improved screening coverage as a primary response said Srimayee Chakraborty Life Sciences Partner EY IndiaAlso read Liver cancer cases deaths estimated to rise by more than 55 per cent by 2040 StudyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever