Cancer cases in India can double every 20 years, according to a new study. Increase in life expectancy rate is the main reason behind rise in cancer incidence, finds study published in Journal of Oncology. Public health experts call this Epidemiological Transition Levels (ETL), a phase in birth and death rates decline. Kerala has the highest ETL rate and Uttar Pradesh the lowest. States with high ETL rate see more cases of cancer, but mortality of the disease is low.
For example, despite registering fewer cancer cases than Kerala, Uttar Pradesh’s mortality rate is 4 times higher than the southern state. Credit goes to better health facilities and early diagnosis, finds the study conducted by two researchers from Kolkata and London. Cases of cancers caused by infections like cervical, stomach and penile are decreasing, while lifestyle and ageing cancers like breast, colorectal and prostate cancers are increasing: Study.
Lack of treatment facilities and projected rise in ETL rate will increase cancer mortality in states like Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the next 10-20 years. The government should include multidisciplinary cancer treatment units in all medical colleges and independent cancer speciality hospitals as suggested by health committees.
