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In a troubling new development, cancer is increasingly affecting young adults in India, with a new study revealing that 20 percent of cancer cases in the country are now being seen in men and women below the age of 40. The research, conducted by the Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit organization, highlights a growing health crisis.
The study indicates a gender disparity in these cases, with 60 percent of the younger cancer patients being men, and 40 percent being women. The most prevalent types of cancer among this age group are head and neck cancers, which account for 26 percent of the cases, followed closely by gastrointestinal cancers, such as those affecting the colon, stomach, and liver, which make up 16 percent. Breast cancer is also significant, representing 15 percent of the cases, while blood cancers account for 9 percent.
Dr. Ashish Gupta, Principal Investigator and Senior Oncologist spearheading the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign, attributes the rise in cancers among young adults to poor lifestyle choices. “In our country, escalating rates of obesity, changes in dietary habits, specifically the increase in consumption of ultra-processed food, and sedentary lifestyles are associated with higher cancer rates,” Gupta said. He emphasized the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle and avoiding tobacco and alcohol to mitigate cancer risks among the younger population.
The study also reveals a concerning trend in the stages at which cancers are diagnosed. Only 27 percent of cases in India are diagnosed in the early stages (Stages 1 and 2), while a staggering 63 percent are detected in the more advanced stages (Stages 3 and 4). Gupta points to low adoption of proper screening practices as a significant factor in late-stage diagnoses. “Nearly two-thirds of cancers were detected late, likely due to low adoption of proper screening,” he noted.
The findings of the study are based on data collected from 1,368 cancer patients across India who contacted the foundation’s Cancer Helpline Number between March 1 and May 15. This comprehensive survey underscores the urgent need for enhanced cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection efforts in the country, particularly among the younger demographic.
