Rising Cancer Rates and Lifestyle Diseases Propel India Towards Health Crisis, Apollo Hospitals’ Health of the Nation 2024 Report Reveals
Apollo Hospitals’ recent Health of the Nation 2024 report has sounded a clarion call, warning that India stands at the brink of a health crisis fueled by a surge in cancer cases and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive preventive measures to address this looming threat.
According to the report, India is on track to become a global hotspot for cancer, with nearly 14 lakh people diagnosed with the disease in 2020. Shockingly, this number is expected to soar to 15.7 lakhs by 2025, painting a grim picture of the nation’s health landscape. With cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders reaching critical levels, India faces formidable challenges in safeguarding public health.
The report sheds light on the varying prevalence of cancers among genders, with breast, cervix, and ovarian cancer dominating among women, and lung, mouth, and prostate cancer among men. Alarmingly, cancer diagnoses in India occur at younger ages compared to other nations, emphasizing the urgency for early detection and proactive screening initiatives.
One of the significant hurdles in India’s fight against cancer is the inadequate screening rates, which fall below global standards. Addressing this gap is paramount to improving survival rates and reducing the burden of the disease. The report stresses the importance of early detection and highlights the pivotal role of preventive healthcare measures in curbing the spread of cancer.
In addition to cancer, the Apollo report highlights a surge in mental health disorders, notably depression, affecting a significant portion of the population, particularly young adults. Chronic stress, coupled with lifestyle factors like obesity and hypertension, exacerbates the risk of NCDs, posing a grave threat to public health.
To combat these challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a range of preventive measures, including tobacco cessation, alcohol moderation, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, and minimizing exposure to carcinogens and pollutants. Embracing a holistic approach to healthcare, encompassing early screening, lifestyle modifications, and stress management, is essential to stemming the tide of NCDs in India.
As India grapples with the mounting burden of cancer and NCDs, concerted efforts from policymakers, healthcare providers, and individuals are imperative to mitigate the impact and secure a healthier future for the nation.
