Several factors are contributing to the rise in cancer cases among young people in India.
One of the main reasons is the increase in the consumption of processed foods, tobacco and alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and stress.
Environmental pollution is another critical factor.
Indian cities are plagued by high levels of pollution, which has been linked to several types of cancer.
Air and water pollution exposes people to carcinogenic substances, which significantly increases their risk of cancer.
"Ultra-processed foods and sedentary lifestyles are emerging as major contributors to rising cancer rates among young Indians.
"High intake of these foods, loaded with unhealthy additives, combined with physical inactivity, is creating a health crisis," Dr Rahul Bhargava, director and head of the Department of Hematology and BMT at Fortis, told IANS. Memorial Research Institute.
"It is imperative to adopt healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle to curb this alarming trend," he added.
According to a recent study by Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit foundation, 20 percent of cancer cases in India are currently diagnosed in people under 40 years of age.
The study shows that men make up 60 percent of these young cancer patients, while women make up the remaining 40 percent.
The gender disparity may be due to higher rates of tobacco use, occupational exposure, and lifestyle choices among men in India.
"In our country, rising rates of obesity, changing dietary habits, specifically increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and sedentary lifestyles are associated with higher rates of cancer," said Dr. Ashish Gupta, principal investigator and senior oncologist at Unique. Delhi Cancer Center Hospital, told IANS.
Doctors called for urgent need for lifestyle interventions to combat rising cancer rates among young Indians. Dr. Ashish, who also heads the Mukt Bharat Cancer Campaign in India, emphasized the importance of a “combined effort by the government, health professionals and the community to address the rising rates of cancer among young adults.”
“Policies that promote clean air and water, regular physical activity, and access to nutritious foods should be prioritized. Furthermore, we must invest in better health infrastructure to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment," he stated.
One of the main reasons is the increase in the consumption of processed foods, tobacco and alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and stress.
Environmental pollution is another critical factor.
Indian cities are plagued by high levels of pollution, which has been linked to several types of cancer.
Air and water pollution exposes people to carcinogenic substances, which significantly increases their risk of cancer.
"Ultra-processed foods and sedentary lifestyles are emerging as major contributors to rising cancer rates among young Indians.
"High intake of these foods, loaded with unhealthy additives, combined with physical inactivity, is creating a health crisis," Dr Rahul Bhargava, director and head of the Department of Hematology and BMT at Fortis, told IANS. Memorial Research Institute.
"It is imperative to adopt healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle to curb this alarming trend," he added.
According to a recent study by Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit foundation, 20 percent of cancer cases in India are currently diagnosed in people under 40 years of age.
The study shows that men make up 60 percent of these young cancer patients, while women make up the remaining 40 percent.
The gender disparity may be due to higher rates of tobacco use, occupational exposure, and lifestyle choices among men in India.
"In our country, rising rates of obesity, changing dietary habits, specifically increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and sedentary lifestyles are associated with higher rates of cancer," said Dr. Ashish Gupta, principal investigator and senior oncologist at Unique. Delhi Cancer Center Hospital, told IANS.
Doctors called for urgent need for lifestyle interventions to combat rising cancer rates among young Indians. Dr. Ashish, who also heads the Mukt Bharat Cancer Campaign in India, emphasized the importance of a “combined effort by the government, health professionals and the community to address the rising rates of cancer among young adults.”
“Policies that promote clean air and water, regular physical activity, and access to nutritious foods should be prioritized. Furthermore, we must invest in better health infrastructure to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment," he stated.
