India Sees Sharp Rise in Oral and Breast Cancer Cases, Experts Sound Alarm

Kolkata (The Uttam Hindu): Cases of cancer especially oral and breast cancer are rising rapidly across India, and according to experts, the situation is becoming a major public health concern. Padma Shri awardee and renowned haematologist Dr. Mammen Chandy says lifestyle changes, tobacco use, late diagnosis, and environmental factors are key drivers behind this increase. He warns that if these trends continue, India will face an even heavier cancer burden in the coming years.

Oral Cancer Cases Increasing Steadily

Dr. Chandy notes that between 1990 and 2021, India’s oral cancer mortality rate increased from 5.32 per lakh to 5.92 per lakh. The disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate also rose from 152.94 to 163.61.

Estimates suggest that from 2022 to 2031, both incidence and mortality linked to oral cancer will continue to rise. By 2031, the age-standardised incidence rate (ASPR) may reach 10.15 per lakh, while mortality could touch 29.38 per lakh.

Dr. Chandy, former director of Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, adds that men consistently show higher rates of oral cancer than women.

Breast Cancer Now the Most Common Cancer Worldwide

He explains that globally, breast cancer has become the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, even surpassing lung cancer. In India, its age-standardised rate increased by nearly 40% between 1990 and 2016. Every Indian state has recorded a rise in breast cancer diagnoses.

Factors behind this include lifestyle changes, obesity, alcohol consumption, delayed pregnancies, and improved diagnostic tools.

India Cancer Genome Atlas: A Major Initiative

Dr. Chandy highlights two major approaches in India’s cancer care system—referral-based private hospitals and public healthcare centers. He also mentions IIT Madras’ initiative, the India Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA), which aims to map the genetic characteristics of cancers commonly seen in the country. The project is currently focused on collecting data.

New Hope in Colorectal Cancer Treatment

According to Dr. Chandy, the PD-1 class immunotherapy drug Dostarlimab-gxly (Jemperli) has shown 100% complete response in a small group of colorectal cancer patients with inactive tumors. However, this specific treatment applies to only 4–5% of patients. Most others still require surgery and chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy Showing Promising Relief

The drug works by blocking the PD-1 protein on T-cells, enabling the immune system to attack cancer cells. Regarding Russia’s announcement of an mRNA cancer vaccine, Dr. Chandy says no published clinical data is available yet.

Rising Cancer Burden a Growing Concern

India reports more than 10 lakh new cancer cases every year. Among women, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers are most common, whereas in men, lung, oral, and prostate cancers are more frequently diagnosed.