Report predicts 12% rise in India’s cancer burden

Context: Cancer cases in the country are likely to increase to 15.6 lakhs by 2025 — a 12% increase from current estimated cases — based on current trends, according to the National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020.

The figures were released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Informatics & Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru.

Details of the report:

• The report also found that in 2020, tobacco-related cancers are estimated to contribute to 27.1% of the total cancer burden, and highest in the northeastern region of the country.
• Cancers of the lung, mouth, stomach and esophagus were the most common cancers among men. Cancers of the breast and cervix, uterus were the most common cancers among women.
• According to a release issued by the ICMR, the report estimates that in 2020 cancer cases in the country will be at 13.9 lakhs.
• In 2020, tobacco related cancers are estimated to contribute 3.7 lakhs (27.1%) of the total cancer burden.

ICMR:

• It is one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world.
• The ICMR is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• ICMR's 26 national institutes address themselves to research on specific health topics like tuberculosis, leprosy, cholera and diarrheal diseases, viral diseases, etc.
• Its 6 regional medical research centers address themselves to regional health problems, and also aim to strengthen or generate research capabilities in different geographic areas of the country.
• The governing body of the council is presided over by the Union Health Minister.
• It is assisted in scientific and technical matters by a scientific advisory board comprising eminent experts in different biomedical disciplines.

Reference- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/report-predicts-12-rise-in-indias-cancer-burden/article32386880.ece#:~:text=Cancer%20cases%20in%20the%20country,Cancer%20Registry%20Programme%20Report%202020.&text=In%202020%2C%20tobacco%20related%20cancers,of%20the%20total%20cancer%20burden.