Nearly one in 10 Indians at risk of developing cancer before 75, says WHO report
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Nearly one in 10 Indians is at risk of developing cancer before the age of 75, while around seven in every 100 are at risk of dying from the disease before that age, according to the latest GLOBOCAN estimates published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of WHO and the American Cancer Society in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The estimates show that around 1.6 million new cancer cases and 900,000 cancer-related deaths were recorded in India in 2024.
Experts project that annual new cancer cases in the country could rise to 2.8 million by 2050, driven by population growth, an ageing population, lifestyle changes and gaps in early detection and healthcare access.
Globally, an estimated 20.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer, and 9.8 million died from the disease in 2024. The report, which covers 34 cancer types across 186 countries, estimates that one in five people worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime.
Lung cancer remained the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, accounting for 2.6 million new cases, followed by breast, colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers. Lung cancer was also the leading cause of cancer deaths.
In India, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, followed by cancers of the lip and oral cavity, cervical cancer, lung cancer, and oesophageal cancer. Among women, breast cancer accounts for more than one in four new cancer diagnoses, while cancers of the lip and oral cavity remain the most common among men, largely due to tobacco use.
The report says many cancers can be prevented or detected early through stronger tobacco control, HPV vaccination, regular screening, healthier lifestyles, and greater public awareness. It also notes that delayed diagnosis remains a major challenge in India, with many patients seeking treatment only after the disease has reached advanced stages.
The WHO also called for a more people-centred approach to cancer care, noting that financial hardship, mental health challenges and unequal access to treatment continue to affect patients and their families worldwide.