INDIA'S CANCER - PREVENTION BLUEPRINT

India faces a formidable foe: cancer With cases projected to rise by 57.5 percent by 2040, understanding the landscape of this disease is crucial. Leading oncologists offer valuable insights into the most prevalent cancers and their regional variations.

Head and neck cancers, particularly oral cancers, stand tall as the most common, according to Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead Consultant, Medical oncology, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru and Dr Jyoti Mehta, Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, TGH Oncolife Cancer Center, Talegao. This grim reality is attributed to widespread tobacco use, especially in the states of eastern and western India, as Dr Satish Rao, Surgical Oncologist, Lilavati Hospital, and Dr Nikhil Dharmadhikari MBBS MS (General Surgery) DrNB (Surgical Oncology) Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery (Oncology) Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeon, Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, Mumbai specify. Dr Naveen Hedne Chandrsekhar, Senior Consultant, Head and Neck - Surgical Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Center, Chennai paints a stark picture, calling India the capital of oral cancer' due to smokeless tobacco's grip.

Beyond tobacco, regional factors come into play. Dr Sreenivasa BJ, Medical Oncologist and Breast Health Specialist, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru describes the influence of lifestyle, genetics, and environment on cancer distribution. Dr Vijay Agarwal of Apollo Hospitals and TGH Oncolife's Dr Jyoti Mehta point to breast and ovarian cancers dominating the southern parts of India, while the northern states are facing the challenge of esophageal and stomach cancers.

Dr Jyoti Mehta notes the unique case of oropharyngeal cancers in the northeast, often linked to HPV and with distinct TNM staging. These variations extend beyond geography. Holy Family Hospital's Dr Nikhil Dharmadhikari, citing GLOBOCAN data, reveals gender differences in cancer prevalence. Head and neck cancers reign supreme in men, while breast cancer takes the lead in women.

HURDLES TO PREVENTION