Surging Head and Neck Cancer Cases in India Amid Rising Tobacco Use

Around 26% of cancer patients in India suffer from head and neck tumors, with cases especially rising among young men due to tobacco usage and HPV infection. The Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, via its helpline data, highlights the importance of awareness, early detection, and lifestyle modifications for prevention.

A recent study reveals that approximately 26% of cancer patients in India have head and neck tumors, with these cases showing an upward trend. This study, involving 1,869 cancer patients, was unveiled on World Head and Neck Cancer Day by the Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit organization.

Dr. Ashish Gupta, a senior oncologist leading the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign, indicates that increased tobacco consumption and HPV infection are major factors in the rise of head and neck cancer cases among young men in India. 'Around 80-90% of oral cancer patients use tobacco,' he stated, stressing the preventable nature of this type of cancer through lifestyle changes.

India faces a challenge in late-stage cancer detection, largely due to low screening adoption. The Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign aims to curb cancer's impact through education and early diagnosis, emphasizing that early-stage head and neck cancers have over an 80% cure rate. Latest treatments now focus not just on survival but also on ensuring a good quality of life for survivors.

This campaign has also launched a free national helpline (93-555-20202) for cancer patients, operational from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Patients can consult with leading oncologists via this service. As per GLOBOCAN data, India is projected to see a significant rise in cancer cases, reaching 2.1 million by 2040 from the numbers in 2020.