4 in 10 cancer cases among Indians are preventable: Study, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• A WHO/IARC study reveals that 37% of new cancer cases globally in 2022 are linked to preventable causes.
• The study analyzed 30 preventable causes across 185 countries and 36 cancer types.
• In India, approximately 37.1% of cancers are preventable, totaling around 5,20,000 cases.
• Top modifiable contributors in India are infections (13.4%), tobacco smoking (10.5%), and smokeless tobacco/areca nut (5%).
• Preventable cancer burden is higher among Indian men (44.7%) compared to women (30.5%).

Detailed Insights:

• The WHO/IARC analysis identifies tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer globally, responsible for 15% of new cases.
• Infections are the second leading cause globally (10%), followed by alcohol consumption (3%).
• The study emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions by governments and individuals to reduce preventable cancer cases.
• This landmark study incorporates infectious causes of cancer alongside behavioral, environmental, and occupational risks for the first time.
• Addressing modifiable risk factors can significantly reduce the cancer burden in India, particularly among men.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of body fat based on height and weight, indicating healthy or unhealthy weight ranges.
• Modifiable Risk Factors: Aspects of lifestyle or environment that can be changed to reduce the risk of disease.
• Areca Nut: A seed commonly chewed in India, known to be a carcinogen and linked to oral cancer.