The National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) Report 2020, released by ICMR and National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, Bengaluru, estimates that based on current trends, there will be 13.9 lakh cancer cases by the end of 2020.
According to a report, Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, reported 270 cancer cases per one lakh population from 2012 to 2016, the highest in the country. It was followed by the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya and the Kamrup Metropolitan area in Assam which reported 228 and 213 cancer cases per one lakh population, respectively. And 1 out of every 4 males in the Papumpare district, Aizawl district, Kamrup Metropolitan area and East Khasi Hills district are likely to develop cancer in the age group of 0-74 years. And in Papumpare district, 1 in 4 females has chances of developing cancer within the same age group.
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The report highlights time-trend studies in cancer cases, mortality and treatment in India, based on data systematically gathered through a network of population and hospital-based cancer registries across the country. These results then work to facilitate the efforts to strengthen cancer prevention and control throughout the country.
The cancer incidence rate for the male population is the highest in Aizawl district of Mizoram, recording 269.4 per one lakh population, while in the case of female population Papumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh is the highest with 219.8 cases per one lakh population. Cancer of lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus were the most common among men while that of breast and cervix uteri (womb) were the most common among women, the report read.
There has also been significant increase in the incidence rates of breast cancer cases in women, and also in cases of lung, head and neck cancer in both men and women.
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The report highlighted that in most registries in the North-Eastern region, males are at a higher risk. In contrast, registries other than North Eastern region observes females to be at higher risk. It also stated that North East females have a higher percentage of cancer cases associated with the use of any form of tobacco, followed by the central and western regions of India.
There has also been a significant increase in the incidence rates of breast cancer cases in women, and also in cases of lung, head and neck cancer in both men and women, as stated in the report. However, a declining shift was seen in most of the registries for cancer cases of the cervix (womb). Amongst men in Assam, cases of oesophagus, hypo-pharynx, lungs, and mouth cancers were the most common while in cases of women, breast, gallbladder, uterine cervix, and oesophagus cancer were found to be more common.
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Among males, the lowest proportions of cancer cases were reported in West Arunachal Pradesh with 24.5% whereas in females it was observed in Thiruvananthapuram district with 10.1%. In North eastern region however, the lowest proportion in females was observed in Pasighat with 10.9%.
On the basis of these current trends it is estimated that incidences of cancer cases in the country will stand at 13.9 lakh in 2020 and are likely to reach 15.7 lakh by 2025. The report also stated that in 2020, tobacco-related cancers are estimated to contribute to 27.1% of the total cancer burden of the country, and the highest of this is predicted to be in the North-eastern region. Cancer incidences of the gastrointestinal tract and breast are anticipated to be the next most prevalent in the country.
