Cancer has accounted for approximately 9.6 to 10 million deaths across the world in 2023. This is equivalent to around 26,300 deaths every day due to cancer.
This statistic is enough to indicate the severity and deadliness of this disease. There are over 100 different types of cancer documented worldwide, a lot of which are also observed in India. As a vast country comprising 28 states and 8 union territories and over 1.4 billion people, India exhibits varying patterns in terms of cancer incidence across its landscape.
This article talks about the states with the highest incidences of cancer over the years and sheds some light on the statistics of cancer in India in the year 2023.
Cancer Cases in India
Cancer is a leading health concern in India. Over the past decade, the records of its incidence have been continuously increasing and have been projected to rise further in the upcoming years. It is estimated that every ninth person in the country is likely to develop cancer at some point in their life.
Read More :- Which state in India has the highest cancer rate?
The number of annual cancer cases in India doubled between the years 1990 and 2013. In 2020, India reported an estimated 1.39 million cases of cancer which rose to 1.42 million and 1.46 million in the years 2021 and 2022, respectively. Studies have estimated a 12.8% increase in the number of annual cancer cases by the year 2025, which would be around 1.57 million.
There are similar statistics on the number of annual deaths caused by cancer in the country. Among many of the cancer patients and cancer survivors are people who lead a disability-adjusted life or a life with several restrictions and precautions in place.
These statistics need to be more highlighted among the general population of the country. Widespread awareness regarding the causes of cancer and the necessity of early diagnosis is highly crucial at this stage.
Top 10 Cancer States in India
Cancer is a highly documented disease on the national and international levels owing to its high incidence and mortality rates. Due to this, significant data is available on the reported number of cases in different parts of the country.
Based on the statistics of the past few decades, we have curated a list of the top states with the highest incidence rates in the country. These lists are based on the crude incidence rates and age-standardized rates, as discussed in the following sections.
Top Cancer States in India With Highest Crude Cancer Incidence Rates
Due to the vast scope of data on cancer cases, it is crucial to base the data on a particular factor for accurate estimation.
The following list is based on the crude cancer incidence rates, a parameter that is the direct indicator of the number of cancer cases in the given region. The statistics shown here refer to the rate of incidence of the disease per 100,000. Here are the top cancer states in India:
- Kerala (135.3)
- Mizoram (121.7)
- Haryana (103.4)
- Delhi (102.9)
- Karnataka (101.6)
- Goa (97.0)
- Himachal Pradesh (91.6)
- Uttarakhand (91.0)
- Assam (90.2)
- Punjab (85.5)
These Indian states reported the highest number of cancer cases over the past few decades. However, if you look at the top states with the highest cancer cases in a particular year, the names will vary.
Top Cancer States in India With Highest Age-Standardized Incidence Rates
The population pattern varies across different regions in a country, especially for a country as vast and diverse as India. So the cancer statistics vary among the states if you consider them on a more age-uniform level.
Here is a list of the top cancer states with the highest age-standardized incidence of the disease. This factor compares the number of cancer cases between different states over time after adjusting the age difference in the population structure of the states.
- Mizoram
- Meghalaya
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Delhi
- Haryana
While age standardization is not a direct indication of the number of cancer cases, it represents the statistics for a uniform age structure.
Read More :- Which state in India has the highest cancer rate?
Top Cancer States in India in 2023
While there is no concrete statistic on the number of new cancer case reports in India for the year 2023, the state-wise reports give clear implications. The number of cancer cases reported by each state is following a similar pattern as the past couple of years.
The top Indian states estimated to have the highest number of new cancer cases in 2023 are as follows:
- Uttar Pradesh
With around 2.10 lakh new cancer cases in 2023, the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India reported the highest number in the year. In 2021, the number of new cancer cases in this state had been around 2 lakh.
2. Maharashtra
Maharashtra reported the second-highest number of cancer incidences in 2023 in India with around 1.21 lakh new cases. In the year 2021, the number for the same was around 1.18 lakh.
3. West Bengal
West Bengal had an estimated 1.13 lakh new reports of cancer in 2023, making it the state with the third-highest number on the list. 1.1 lakh new cancer cases were reported in this state in 2021.
4. Bihar
There is an estimated 1 lakh new cancer cases reported in Bihar in 2023. This eastern state has been among the top cancer states in India for the past two years.
5. Tamil Nadu
The number of new cancer cases in Tamil Nadu in 2023 is estimated at around 82,000. This state in southern India has been among the top cancer states in the country for the last few years.
Top Cancer Types in India in 2023
Cancer is prevalent in India in various forms that target different and sometimes multiple organs. As per the statistics of 2023, five of the most common forms of cancer in India are as follows:
- Lung Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
Embrace and Spread Awareness
Cancer is undeniably a major health concern across the world. In India, a large number of fatal cancer cases are due to the lack of awareness among the general population and the late diagnosis of the disease. It is important to raise awareness about the factors that people can notice in their daily lives and habits that could increase their chances of having cancer. Along with that, regular health checkups and seeking medical help whenever needed can improve your chances against this disease.
Cancer is highly unpredictable and there is no sure shot way to avoid it. But you can do your part by following a healthy lifestyle, gaining knowledge on the topic, and making others aware of the various aspects of this disease. Only then, the outlook for cancer in India as a whole might look better in the upcoming years.