India Sees Higher Cancer Incidence in Women but Greater Mortality in Men: ICMR Study

A new study led by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that while women in India report more cancer cases, men face a higher risk of dying from the disease. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, are based on an extensive analysis of data from 43 population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) covering the period between 2015 and 2019. The study analyzed 708,223 cancer cases and 206,457 cancer-related deaths. It found that over 50% of the cancer incidence occurred in women, compared to 49% in men. However, the mortality rate was significantly higher in males, accounting for 55% of deaths, versus 45% in females. Researchers reported that among men, the most common cancers were the mouth (113,249 cases), the lung (74,763), and the prostate (49,998). In women, breast cancer topped the list with 238,085 cases, followed by cervical (78,499) and ovarian cancer (48,984). Female genital system cancers contributed to 171,497 cases, while in men, cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx made up 217,327 cases. “This underscores a need to strengthen the ongoing efforts for cancer prevention and control measures to reduce the burden of cancer in India,” the researchers emphasized. A significant finding of the study was the rapidly increasing cancer burden in rural areas. Districts in Kerala and Assam—with over 50% rural populations—reported the highest cancer incidence among both women and men. The northeastern states, including Aizawl, East Khasi Hills, Papumpare, Kamrup Urban, and Mizoram, continued to show the highest incidence rates, with oesophageal cancer being the most prevalent in the region. Among metro cities, Delhi recorded the highest overall cancer cases at 146 per 100,000 population. Ahmedabad showed a rising trend, with cancer incidence increasing by 4.7% in men and 6.9% in women. Based on the current trends, researchers estimated India’s cancer incidence for 2024 to be 1,562,099 new cases, with an estimated 874,404 cancer-related deaths. Of these, 781,277 new cases are expected in women and 780,822 in men.