Almost every family in India today has a story linked to cancer. A parent quietly battling treatment, a colleague juggling chemotherapy sessions while trying to keep work going, or a friend who lost a loved one too soon. What was once considered a rare disease is now something people are facing all around them. But just how common is cancer in India right now?
According to a new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), India recorded an estimated 1.56 million new cancer cases and 874,404 deaths in 2024 alone.
The report, titled Cancer Incidence and Mortality Across 43 Cancer Registries in India, also projected that if current trends continue, the country could see as many as 2.46 million cancer cases annually by 2045.
Why are cancer cases rising?
Doctors say the rise in cancer is mostly due to changing lifestyles, pollution, and lack of awareness about early detection.
“Cancer is one of the fastest-growing health concerns in India. Each year, over 1.5 million new cancer cases are reported, with the numbers steadily rising. Changing lifestyles, increasing tobacco consumption, urban pollution, and lack of early screening have all contributed to this surge,” explained Dr. Uma Dangi, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, in an exclusive conversation with The Financial Express.
As per Dr Dangi, it is a mix of lifestyle, environmental, and genetic causes. Tobacco and alcohol use remain the leading drivers. Pollution, particularly in urban centers, is emerging as a ‘silent driver’ of lung cancer. Sedentary lifestyles, high-fat diets, and rising obesity are increasing breast, colorectal, and uterine cancers.
Family history and genetic predisposition play a role in cancers such as breast, ovarian, and prostate, but doctors stress that lifestyle and environment are far bigger contributors.
Which age group is most at risk?
What makes these numbers worrying is not just the constant rise in cases, but also the fact that cancers are now increasingly being diagnosed in people in their 30s and 40s. Breast cancer, for instance, which was once largely seen as an ‘older woman’s disease,’ is now affecting younger women. Oral cancers, too, are affecting men in their prime working years.
Most common cancers in India today
For men, oral cancer leads the list, followed by lung and prostate cancers. Oral cancer alone is expected to account for more than 113,000 new male cases in 2024.
For women, breast cancer dominates with a projected 238,000 cases this year, followed by cervical and ovarian cancers. Together, these cancers account for nearly half of all cases in the country.
Most common cancers in men: Oral, lung, and esophageal cancers
In men, tobacco use continues to be the major reason behind the rise in cancer cases in men. Oral cancers which include cancers of the lips, tongue, and mouth are most common in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, where chewing gutka, betel nut, and tobacco is widespread.
“Oral cancers are largely preventable if people quit chewing tobacco and undergo regular dental check-ups. Unfortunately, many patients ignore early signs like mouth ulcers or patches, and only seek medical help when the disease has advanced,” Dr. Dangi added.
Lung cancer, another leading killer among men, is not just caused by smoking. The study pointed out that India’s poor air quality is putting even non-smokers at risk. Similarly, esophageal cancer remains high due to heavy alcohol use and poor diets. Colorectal and prostate cancers are slowly emerging in cities, driven by processed foods and sedentary lifestyles.
Most common cancers in women: Breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers
Among women, breast cancer is the single biggest threat. Doctors say urban women are especially vulnerable due to delayed marriages, fewer children, limited breastfeeding, hormonal factors, and obesity.
“Breast cancer is rising rapidly in India. While a small percentage of cases are hereditary, the majority are lifestyle-related. Modern factors such as late pregnancies, obesity, alcohol use, and high stress all contribute to the rise,” explains Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women, is also a major killer despite being one of the most preventable forms. The primary cause is infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The study reveals that vaccination against HPV can prevent more than 80 per cent of cervical cancer cases if given to girls before sexual exposure.
Ovarian cancer, too, is a silent disease that often goes unnoticed until advanced stages. Family history plays a role, but lack of regular screening makes it harder to catch early.
How to prevent cancer?
Awareness about self-breast exams, mammography, Pap smears, HPV testing, and oral check-ups for tobacco users can go a long way in catching cancers early. HPV vaccination, which is now being promoted for girls aged 9–14, could drastically reduce cervical cancer cases in the coming decade.
Simple lifestyle changes like quitting tobacco, eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, and cutting down on alcohol can significantly lower risk.
“Nearly 50 percent of cancer-related deaths in India are caused by just four cancers: oral, lung, breast, and cervical. The good news is that all of them are either preventable or treatable if caught early. We need large-scale awareness campaigns, accessible screening in rural areas, and affordable treatment options to make a real difference,” said Dr. Malhotra.
Cancer in India isn’t just about what we eat or how we live, it’s also about the bigger picture. The way cities are growing, rising pollution, busy lifestyles, and the struggle to get proper healthcare are all playing a role in this health crisis.