Cancer Burden Analysis Across 43 Cancer Registries in India: 5 Key Highlights
A large cross-sectional study has revealed significant regional disparities in cancer incidence across India and an overall rising cancer burden. The findings offer crucial insights for policymakers to optimise resource allocation and strengthen cancer control strategies nationwide.
The study was published in the August 2025 issue of JAMA by the National Cancer Registry Programme Investigator Group of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The study aimed to assess recent patterns and trends in cancer incidence and mortality across 43 geographic regions in India (2015–2019) and provide projections for 2024.
Data were derived from 43 population-based cancer registries, covering periods between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Population-at-risk estimates were obtained from the Census of India, and results were analysed by registry area.
Data analysis was conducted from May 1 to December 20, 2024. In total, the study captured 708,223 cancer cases and 206,457 cancer-related deaths. The analysis included the number of cases, crude rates, and age-adjusted rates (per 100,000 population) for cancer incidence and mortality, estimated average annual percent change (AAPC) from time trends, and projected cancer cases in India for 2024.
The study reported the following key findings:
1. Lifetime Risk in India: The lifetime risk of developing cancer in India was 11.0%, while Mizoram in the Northeastern region showed much higher risks—21.1% in males and 18.9% in females.
2. Aizawl -Highest Burden Region: The district of Aizawl recorded the highest age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) in both males (256.1; 95% CI, 245.2–267.0) and females (217.2; 95% CI, 207.6–226.7).
3. Most Common Cancers: The most common cancers were oral, lung, and prostate in males and breast, cervical, and ovarian in females. (See Figure)
Figure: Most Common Cancers in India
4. Cancer Brunt in Specific Regions: Among metropolitan cities (urban agglomerations with populations >1 million), Delhi had the highest overall cancer AAIR in males (146.7; 95% CI, 145.1–148.3). Srinagar reported the highest AAIR for lung cancer (39.5; 95% CI, 35.8–43.2). Oral cancer showed significant increases in 14 population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) among males and 4 PBCRs among females, with Ahmedabad Urban reporting rises of 4.7% (95% CI, 2.9%–6.6%) in males and 6.9% (95% CI, 4.1%–9.7%) in females. The estimated AAPC in AAIR (all sites) revealed a significant increase over time in Kamrup Urban among males (3.3%; 95% CI, 2.3%–4.3%) and Thiruvananthapuram Taluk among females (3.4%; 95% CI, 3.1%–3.8%). For 2024, the study projected 1,562,099 new cancer cases and 874,404 cancer deaths.
5. Need of the Hour: These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen prevention and control strategies to reduce India’s growing cancer burden. Effective cancer control in India requires coordinated efforts, focusing on public awareness, prevention, and early detection. Awareness campaigns will facilitate reducing stigma and encourage timely health-seeking behavior. Apart from prevention, upgrading existing cancer care facilities and expanding services in high-incidence regions is vital to ensure equitable access to quality and affordable care.
Reference
National Cancer Registry Programme Investigator Group; Mathur P, Sathishkumar K, Das P, Santhappan S, Sankarapillai J, Nath A, Baburao Vishwakarma M, Swaminathan R, Pitchaimuthu S, Deo SVS, Manoharan N, Deshmane V, Koyande S, Gupta S, Budukh A, Thejaswini B, Vijay CR, Mathew A, George PS, Balasubramanian S, Sunilkumar S, Pandya S, Shah A, Chakrabarti J, Jatua D, Nair RA, Najmi AM, Wani SQ, Gundeti S, Majumdar G, Debbarma S, Thaliath BP, Ghosh R, Mahantshetty U, Fernandes D, Pradhan S, Khanna D, Barmon D, Rahman T, Malik R, Shrivastava A, Langstieh W, Jagtap V, Zomawia E, Chhakchhuak L, Khuraijam S, Laishram RS, Panse N, Dulange V, Sheikh SA, Dey AK, Gulia A, Pahwa V, Asthana S, Singh S, Bodal VK, Kaur M, Gupta A, Thakur JS, Dikshit R, Kannan RR, Tapkire R, Patil S, Sarade M, Sharma A, Ahmed Z, Chaturvedi P, Singh R, Sherpa AT, Pradhan PD, Lokhande D, Saoba S, Khamo V, Hiese KS, Tawsik S, Hage N, Jerang K. Cancer Incidence and Mortality Across 43 Cancer Registries in India. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Aug 1;8(8):e2527805. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.27805.
