Why are India's cancer cases skyrocketing?
Why are India's cancer cases skyrocketing?
Health professionals have issued a warning, predicting an exponential increase in the number of cancer cases over the next 20 years. Since his diagnosis two years ago, Praful reddy, 49, an IT professional from the southern indian state of Andhra Pradesh, has been receiving treatment to arrest the progression of his lung cancer. This treatment includes targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. He frequently experiences headaches, ulcers, and vomiting. He is unsure of his prognosis,despite the fact that doctors are optimistic about his recovery.
"Drugs have been prescribed by the doctors to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. I could need to have a lobectomy, which involves removing one lung's complete lobe, if things don't get better," reddy told DW. Twelve-year-old Dipti is undergoing treatment for a Wilms tumor, a rare kind of cancer that mostly affects youngsters and starts in the kidneys, in the city of Bengaluru, in the nearby state of Karnataka. Her doctor, Charu Sharma, told DW, "She is currently receiving radiation therapy, but it has resulted in side effects like skin damage and hair loss."
These are not unique incidents; india is experiencing the fastest-rising cancer case count globally as more and more people, particularly youngsters, receive cancer diagnoses.
Cancer is affecting children more and more.
The Apollo Hospitals report also described the early onset of various cancers in india compared to other countries. In india, the typical age for lung cancer is 59; meanwhile, it is 68 in China, 70 in the US, and 75 in the UK. In india, there are about a million new instances of cancer diagnosed annually, with children accounting for 4% of these cases. Physicians and other medical professionals have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of pediatric oncology facilities.
"The majority of private hospitals have qualified pediatric oncologists, but government hospitals and medical schools might not have this kind of staff," noted pediatric oncologist and senior consultant at Mumbai's MRR Children's Hospital Ruchira Misra. "Only 41% of public hospitals have dedicated pediatric oncology departments," she stated. She went on to say that social stigma, in addition to a lack of resources and access to care, posed significant obstacles for many impacted families.