Rising Cancer Concerns | 20 Aug 2024

Source: DTE 

Why in News?

A recent study published in the journal Cancer predicts that global cancer cases in men will increase by 84.3%  and the number of cancer deaths will increase by 93.2% by 2050 compared to the 2022 estimate. 

• This alarming trend underscores a significant public health challenge that requires urgent attention. 

What are the Key Findings of the Study? 

• Projected Increase in Cancer Cases and Deaths: The study predicts that cancer cases among men will rise to 19 million by 2050 while cancer deaths are expected to reach 10.5 million. 
  • Projection of Specific Cancer Types: From 2022 to 2050, mesothelioma (the most common kind of lung cancer) cases are expected to increase by 105.5%, prostate cancer deaths by 136.4%, while testicular cancer will see the smallest rises, with incidents up by 22.7% and deaths by 40%. 
• Dominance of Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is expected to remain the leading type of cancer in both incidence and mortality, with a projected increase of over 87% compared to 2022. 
• Disparities Across Age and Regions: The report notes significant disparities in cancer rates by age and region, with about 10.3 million cases and 5.4 million deaths among men globally in 2022.  
  • Nearly two-thirds of these cases were in adults aged 65 and older. 
• Impact of Human Development Index (HDI): The report predicts that cancer cases will increase by 50.2% in very high HDI countries and by 138.6% in low HDI countries from 2022 to 2050.  
  • Cancer deaths are expected to rise by 63.9% in very high HDI countries and 141.6% in low HDI countries. 
• High Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios: The report highlights high mortality-to-incidence ratios, with older men at 61% and low HDI countries at 74%. Rare cancers like pancreatic cancer have an even higher ratio of 91%, indicating poor survival outcomes. 
  • The Mortality-to-Incidence Ratio (MIR) is a measure that compares the number of cancer deaths (mortality) to the number of new cancer cases (incidence) over a specified period.

What is the State of Cancer Prevalence in India? 

• India reported 1,413,316 new cases in 2022 with a higher proportion of female patients (691,178 men and 722,138 women). 
• Breast cancer had the highest proportion in the country, with 192,020 new cases, accounting for 13.6% of all patients and over 26% in women. 
• In India, breast cancer was followed by lip and oral cavity (143,759 new cases, 10.2%), cervix and uterine, lung, and esophageal cancers. 
  • A recent study by WHO assessing the cancer burden in Asia, published in The Lancet Regional Health, found that India alone accounted for 32.9% of global deaths and 28.1% of new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer in 2019. 
  • This was on account of the widespread consumption of smokeless tobacco (SMT) such as khaini, gutkha, betel quid and paan masala in South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh and Nepal.  
    • Worldwide, SMT is responsible for 50% of the oral cancer burden. 
• As per the Lancet Global Health 2023, India accounted for 23% of deaths that occurred due to cervical cancer globally. 
  • In India, cervical cancer’s five-year survival rate was 51.7% which is lower compared to high-income countries such as the United States. 

What are the Government Initiatives for Cancer Control In India? 

•  In the Union Budget 2024-25, the government exempted 3 cancer medicines- Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab from customs duty. 
• The Interim Budget 2024-25 encouraged the vaccination of girls aged 9-14 years to prevent cervical cancer. 
• National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke 
• National Cancer Grid 
• National Cancer Awareness Day 
• HPV Vaccine 
• Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) 

What are the Key Highlights of the NITI Aayog Report on Early Cancer Detection in India? 

• Cancer Screening Gap: According to NITI Ayog’s Report, there is a significant shortfall in cancer screening at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).  
  • Less than 10% of these centres had conducted even a single round of screening for non-communicable diseases, including cancer. 
• Screening Practices: 
  • Breast Cancer: Screening is performed via self-examination. 
  • Cervical Cancer: Screening has not been fully implemented. 
  • Oral Cancer: Screening is conducted on a case-by-case basis, depending on visible symptoms. 
• Infrastructure and Resources: HWCs lacked basic infrastructure, devices, medicines, and diagnostic tests as per operational guidelines. 
• Staff Training and Awareness: There is inadequate training and monitoring of Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs) on screening methods.  
  • Additionally, HWC staff had limited awareness of the need for annual screening for hypertension and diabetes.