Northeast India Still Reports Highest Cancer Rates in Country

Between 2015 and 2019, Aizawl, East Khasi Hills, Papumpare, and Kamrup Urban districts recorded the highest incidence of cancer in India, according to fresh data from the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP). The report, based on information collected from 43 population-based cancer registries (PBCRs), tracked 7.08 lakh cancer cases and 2.06 lakh deaths during this five-year period.

The study revealed a slight gender disparity: women accounted for 51.1% of cases, while men made up a higher proportion of 55% of deaths, underlining a survival disadvantage among male patients.

One of the most alarming findings came from Mizoram, which showed a lifetime cancer risk of 21.1% in men and 18.9% in women. This figure is nearly double the national average of 11%, making Mizoram the state with the greatest burden. Within Mizoram, Aizawl district registered the country’s highest age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) for both men and women.

In terms of specific cancer types, the analysis highlighted stark gender differences. Among men, oral, lung, and prostate cancers were the most commonly diagnosed, while among women, breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers dominated. Particularly concerning was the rise in oral cancer, which saw sharp increases across western, central, and northern India, in cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Pune, and Varanasi. Researchers attributed this rise largely to tobacco and alcohol consumption, key lifestyle factors linked with high cancer risk.

The report also spotlighted troubling trends in metropolitan areas. Delhi recorded the highest overall AAIR for men, while Srinagar reported the highest rates of lung cancer. In southern cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam, lung cancer emerged as the leading type among men, suggesting region-specific variations in cancer patterns.

Another critical finding was that lung cancer patients in India often present at a younger age compared to Western populations, with median ages of diagnosis ranging between 54 and 70 years. Worryingly, nearly half of lung cancer cases are detected only at advanced stages, significantly complicating treatment and worsening survival outcomes.

For women, the trends revealed a mixed picture. While cervical cancer rates are declining, breast cancer continues to rise steadily, a pattern researchers linked to generational shifts in risk factors, including lifestyle, reproductive health, and dietary changes. Survival disparities between breast and cervical cancer patients remain a major concern, with breast cancer showing poorer outcomes in many regions.

The NCRP stressed the urgent need for stronger cancer prevention and control strategies. Key recommendations included:

• Expanding quitline services to help reduce tobacco use.

• Boosting public awareness of the health risks of both tobacco and alcohol.

• Rolling out early detection programmes, particularly in high-risk areas.

• Strengthening cancer care facilities in regions with high incidence to reduce disparities in treatment and access.

The findings also tie into the global cancer crisis. Each year, cancer causes around 10 million deaths worldwide. According to the Global Cancer Observatory, new cancer cases globally could rise from 20 million in 2022 to 32.6 million by 2045. For India, the number is projected to reach 2.46 million cases by 2045, positioning the country as one of the hardest-hit regions globally if preventive and curative measures are not urgently scaled up.

In summary, the report underscores the alarming cancer burden in Northeast India, especially Mizoram, while also highlighting national trends of rising oral, lung, and breast cancers. It calls for urgent interventions in prevention, early detection, and healthcare infrastructure to curb the looming crisis.