Global Cancer Prevention Analysis

A new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reveals that four in ten cancer cases could be prevented worldwide. The study, released ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, highlights 30 preventable causes of cancer.

Key Findings

• Approximately 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022, amounting to around 7.1 million cases, are linked to preventable causes.
• The leading preventable causes of cancer are: 
  1. Tobacco: Responsible for 15% of all new cancer cases globally.
  2. Infections: Account for 10% of cancer cases.
  3. Alcohol consumption: Responsible for 3% of cancer cases.

Cancer Prevention in India

In India, 37.1% of cancer cases are preventable, equating to approximately 520,000 cases. The burden of potentially preventable cancer is higher among men than women.

Statistics

• Men: Over 44.7% of cancers (more than 305,000 cases) are due to modifiable risk factors.
• Women: Around 30.5% of cancers (approximately 218,000 cases) are preventable.

Preventable Cancers Among Men

• Tobacco smoking: Accounts for 18.5% of new cancer cases.
• Smokeless tobacco and areca nut: Account for 7.7% of new cases.
• Infections: Account for 7.6% of new cases.
• Top preventable cancers: 
  1. Lip and oral cavity: Over 85,000 cases preventable.
  2. Lung cancer: More than 45,000 cases preventable.
  3. Stomach cancer: Over 31,000 cases preventable.

Preventable Cancers Among Women

• Infections: Account for 20.2% of new cancer cases.
• Insufficient physical activity: Accounts for 2.7% of new cases.
• Smokeless tobacco and areca nut: Account for 2.4% of new cases.
• Top preventable cancers: 
  1. Cervical cancer: Over 127,000 cases preventable.
  2. Breast cancer: More than 25,000 cases preventable.
  3. Lip and oral cavity: Over 20,000 cases preventable.

Importance of National Program Review

Dr. Partha Basu emphasizes the need to review the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPNCD). The program lacks SMART objectives, making progress monitoring difficult.

Priority Areas

• Cervical and gastric cancers are important infection-preventable cancers in India.
• HPV vaccine delays increase cervical cancer risks, especially among lower socio-economic groups.
• Lack of awareness about gastric cancer linked to chronic H. Pylori infection needs addressing.
• Accessibility to potable water and healthy food storage can reduce gastric cancer.