New Delhi: Cancer is no longer a rare or distant health threat in India. Doctors and health organisations are now warning that the disease is spreading rapidly—and the country could be headed for a much bigger crisis over the next two decades if stronger prevention and early diagnosis don’t become a national priority.
The Indian Cancer Society (ICS) has claimed that one in every nine Indians is currently living with cancer, a figure that underlines how widespread the disease has become. Speaking in a special conversation with TV9 Bharatvarsha, ICS Chairperson Jyotsna Govil said the situation is especially worrying for women, who are now seeing higher cancer rates than men.
The future, however, is likely more concerning. India at present records a total of 15 lakh cancer cases every year. The ICS estimates that by 2045, the number may climb to 24.5 lakh per year. This would be a sharp rise, taking a toll on hospitals, doctors, and healthcare systems in the country.
A troubling shift: cancer cases rising among younger adults
Cancer is also showing up earlier in life than it used to. ICS member Dr Nitish Rohatgi described one statistic as particularly shocking: more cases are now being reported in India’s younger population, with a large number falling in the 40 to 64 age group. For many doctors, this trend is hard to ignore. It suggests that lifestyle risks, pollution, tobacco use, stress, diet changes, and delayed medical attention may be pushing cancer into age groups that are still working, raising children, and supporting families.
Which states are reporting the most cases?
In 2024, the highest number of cancer cases was reported in Uttar Pradesh, where 2.21 lakh cases were registered. Other high-burden states included:
- Maharashtra (1,27,512 cases)
- West Bengal (1,18,910 cases)
- Bihar (1,15,123 cases)
- Tamil Nadu (98,386 cases)
At the district level, cancer rates also reveal striking hotspots. Among men, Aizawl district recorded the highest incidence at 269.4 cases per 1,00,000 people. Among women, Papumpare in Arunachal Pradesh reported 219.8 new cases per 1,00,000.
Women are now slightly ahead of men in cancer incidence
Experts say cancer is affecting women at a slightly higher rate. The data shared in the report suggests that 105.4 women per 1,00,000 are being diagnosed, compared to 95.6 men per 1,00,000. India’s cancer profile also has some unique and deeply preventable features. The country continues to report one of the highest oral cancer burdens in the world, largely linked to chewing tobacco and smoking. Among men, mouth, lung and stomach cancers remain among the most common.
Deaths expected to climb sharply
The growing number of cases also means more lives at risk. According to the ICS, cancer deaths in India could reach more than 1.65 million per year by 2045. That represents an 80.8 per cent increase compared to the 9.16 lakh deaths recorded in 2022. In 2022, breast cancer was reported as the leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for 13.7 per cent of all cancer fatalities in the country.
The most common cancers in men and women
Former NITI Aayog director Dr Urvashi Prasad highlighted that cancer patterns differ sharply between men and women. Among women, breast cancer dominates, making up 33 per cent of cases, followed by cervical cancer (12.3 per cent) and ovarian cancer (6.5 per cent).
Budget relief welcomed — but experts say it’s not enough
The Union Budget 2026–27 has announced steps aimed at improving access to treatment, including customs duty exemptions on select cancer medicines and efforts to strengthen domestic biopharma production. Public health experts have welcomed the move, but many are still concerned that India cannot treat its way out. Without awareness, timely screening and action, cancer cases are likely to continue increasing.