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Study warns of growing cancer burden
Why is it in the news?
- A study tracing the growing burden of cancer in India states that most of the increase in cancer incidences are attributable to its epidemiological transition and improvement in the use of cancer diagnostics.
More in the news
- The paper was published in the Journal of Global Oncology which is promoted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
- Findings of the Study:
(1) The country's cancer burden will continue to increase as a result of the ongoing ageing of India and improving access to cancer diagnostics in rural India
(2) While cancer-like diseases were documented since antiquity, recording of cancer in India began only in the 19th century.
(3) Cancer is primarily a disease of older people, hence, as life expectancy went up, cancer incidences too went up.
(4) In India the fastest epidemiological transition happened in Kerala, whereas Uttar Pradesh remained in the slowest group.
(5) The low incidences of infectious diseases in Kerala has given rise to more cancer compared to U.P.
(6) Cancer is the second leading cause of adult death in urban and fourth in rural India.
(7) It is the leading cause of catastrophic health spending, distress financing, and increasing expenditure before death in India.
- Out-of-pocket expenditure:
(1) It is three times higher for private inpatient cancer care in India.
(2) Approximately 40% of cancer costs are met through borrowing, sale of assets, and contributions from friends and relatives.
(3) These costs exceed 20% of annual per capita household expenditure in 60% of Indian households with a patient with cancer.
- Transition:
(1) There has been a decline of cancers caused by infections, such as cervical, stomach, and penile cancer, and an increase in cancers associated with energy intake, physical activity imbalance and ageing, such as breast, colorectal and prostate cancers.
Source
The Hindu.