10 Most Common Cancers in India and Their Causes

By Dr. Pranav Chadha, Consultant, Radiation Oncology and Stereotactic Radiotherapy/Radiosurgery, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai 

Cancer is one among the major killers in India. Its incidence and prevalence are gradually increasing in the country. Many factors are implicated in this growth, which include lifestyle changes, environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and lack of awareness about early detection. In itself prevention still continues to be an important tool in reducing the burden of cancer, even if treatment has improved survival rates.

Below are the ten most common cancers in India, categorized by gender, along with their primary causes.

Most Common Cancers in Men

1. Oral Cancer: India has one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world, primarily due to tobacco consumption. It is more common in men, especially those who chew tobacco or smoke.

Causes:

• Tobacco chewing (gutkha, betel quid, khaini, pan masala)
• Smoking (cigarettes, bidis, hookah)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Poor oral hygiene and chronic irritation from ill-fitting dentures
• HPV infection (human papillomavirus)

2. Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancers globally. In India, though smoking prevails as the major reason, pollution and occupational hazards as well contribute.

Causes:

• Smoking (active as well as passive exposure)
• Air pollution (vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants)
• Occupational exposure to asbestos, radon, and other carcinogens
• COPD-type chronic lung diseases

3. Stomach Cancer: Stomach cancer is prevalent in India, especially in regions with high salt consumption and poor food preservation practices. It is often detected at later stages, making treatment difficult.

Causes:

• Diet high in salt, processed, and smoked foods
• H. pylori bacterial infection, which leads to chronic inflammation
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Tobacco use
• Chronic acid reflux (GERD) and gastritis

4. Colorectal Cancer (Large Intestine Cancer): Colorectal cancer is on a rise in India because of changing dietary and lifestyle habits, especially in urban populations.

Causes:

• Diet low in fiber and high in processed or red meats
• Sedentary lifestyle that leads to obesity
• Genetic predisposition and family history of colorectal cancer
• Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

5. Throat Cancer (Pharyngeal Cancer): Throat cancer is comprised of cancers of the pharynx and larynx and is highly associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption.

Causes:

• Use of tobacco in smoking or chewing
• Heavy drinking
• HPV infection
• Air pollution and exposure to industrial chemicals

6. Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer in India is the second most prevalent cancer found in men, especially after age 50. In patients with early detection, the chances of survival are significantly better.

Causes:

• Age (risk increases after 50)
• Hormonal disturbances (high testosterone levels)
• High-fat diet and obesity
• Genetic predisposition and family history

Most Common Cancers in Women

7. Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in women in India, surpassing cervical cancer. Detrimental lifestyle changes and delay in childbearing are responsible for this increase.

Causes:

• Obesity and lack of physical activity
• Late childbirth or not breastfeeding
• Hormonal changes due to prolonged use of oral contraceptives
• A diet rich in fat and processed foods
• Family history and genetic mutations (BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes)

8. Cervical Cancer: Formerly the most prevalent cancer among Indian women, cervical cancer cases have waned gradually, thanks to successful awareness and vaccination programs; nevertheless, it remains a cause of great health

Causes:

• Persistent HPV infection
• Multiple pregnancies and early childbirth
• Poor hygiene of the genital tract
• Lack of regular pap smear screening

9. Ovarian Cancer: Due to vague symptoms, ovarian cancer often gets diagnosed in advanced stages whilst treatment becomes difficult.

Causes:

• Family history and genetic mutations (BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes)
• Hormonal disturbances
• Post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy
• Smoking and alcoholism

10. Colorectal Cancer (Large Intestine Cancer): As it is among men, colorectal cancer is on the rise in Indian women, too, on account of dietary and lifestyle changes.

Causes:

• Diet rich in red and processed meats and low in fiber
• Genetic predisposition
• Chronic inflammatory bowel conditions

Key Takeaways for Cancer Prevention

1. Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol: Tobacco and alcohol are significant catalysts of oral, throat, lung, and stomach cancers. This means quitting or reducing these habits will greatly diminish your risk for cancer.
2. Adopt a Healthy Diet: Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fiber, fresh fruits, and vegetables; minimize your intake of processed foods, high-fat diet, and salt to help reduce the risk of colorectal, breast, and stomach cancers.
3. Stay Physically Active: Get fit; obesity is a risk factor for various malignancies, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. Thus, it is beneficial to stay fit in order to allow some form of exercise that will maintain a healthy weight.
4. Have Screening Done Regularly: Early detection is most important for survival rates. Women should get regular Pap smears for cervical cancer, mammograms for breast cancer, and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer.
5. Be Aware of Genetic Risks: If you come from a family history of cancers, your risk is elevated. Genetic counseling and regular check-in could help with an early diagnosis and measures to prevent cancer.
6. Safe Hygiene Practices: Personal hygiene regarding the genitals can prevent one from cervical and ovarian cancers; regular gynecological check-ups are life-saving.

While lifestyle changes and early detection are important, the ultimate goal is the development of effective cancer vaccines that will either prevent or dramatically reduce the risk of almost all cancers. The success of the HPV vaccine in the prevention of cervical cancer is a good step in this direction. Future vaccines for other cancers would represent great hope and a move toward a society devoid of high cancer rates. 

Cancer is becoming a bigger health crisis in India. Increased awareness, lifestyle changes, and changes in medicine can cut back on its very potent effects. A person can easily avoid cancer and raise their odds of early detection and treatment just by adopting healthier living habits and appropriate screens.

FAQs for Most Common Cancer Causes in India

Q1. What causes cancer in India the most?

Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, air pollution, and genetic factors are the leading causes of cancer in India. Tobacco alone contributes to over one-third of cancer cases, especially oral, throat, and lung cancers.

Q2. Which cancer is most common among men in India?

Among Indian men, oral cancer ranks as the most common type, primarily due to chewing tobacco, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. Lung and stomach cancers also have a high prevalence in men.

Q3. Which cancer is most common among women in India?

Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer among Indian women, followed by cervical and ovarian cancers. Delayed childbirth, obesity, and hormonal factors contribute to the rising incidence.

Q4.  Can lifestyle changes help prevent cancer?

Yes. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and going for routine health screenings can significantly reduce cancer risk and improve early detection chances

Dr. Sumeet Singhania
Consultant, Pulmonary Medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai

Rising Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers: The Role of Air Pollution

The International Agency for Research on Cancer published startling findings in The Lancet earlier this month. Lung cancer among people who never smoked now ranks as the fifth highest cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Air pollution emerged as a major factor driving this trend.

This matters enormously for India. Smoking dominated lung cancer discussions for decades. Now research shows environmental factors play a huge role in cancer risk. Air pollution in India has reached alarming levels. Many cities regularly exceed global safety limits by wide margins.

Indian cities frequently top lists of the world’s most polluted urban areas. PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds routinely surpass safe concentrations. These pollutants cause respiratory diseases, COPD, asthma, and lung cancer. Smoking remains the biggest risk factor for lung cancer. But long-term exposure to environmental pollutants threatens even people who never touch cigarettes.

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have pushed pollution to crisis levels. What started as a respiratory concern has become a broader public health emergency affecting millions.

Impact of Air Pollution on Health, Fitness, and Longevity in Indians

Rising pollution damages public health, physical fitness, and life expectancy across India. The effects of air pollution reach far beyond breathing problems.

Long exposure to dirty air increases risks for asthma, COPD, and frequent lung infections. Air pollution and health issues now include heart problems, with pollutants causing strokes and cardiac disease. Research links poor air quality to cognitive decline too.

Outdoor activities like running and cycling have become risky in many cities. High particulate matter inflames lungs and reduces oxygen intake during exercise. Urban residents commonly report chronic fatigue, breathlessness, and reduced stamina. Continuous exposure to polluted air drains overall physical fitness.

Health issues caused by air pollution have cut life expectancy in heavily polluted regions. Studies show residents of India’s dirtiest cities may live several years less than those in cleaner areas. Pollution keeps getting worse. More people develop serious diseases at younger ages. This creates major concerns about the nation’s future health.

Global Air Quality Standards: How Safe is the Air We Breathe?

The World Health Organization sets strict air quality guidelines. WHO standards specify:

• PM2.5 annual average should not exceed 5 µg/m³, with 24-hour average below 15 µg/m³
• PM10 limits are 15 µg/m³ annually and 45 µg/m³ for a single day
• Nitrogen dioxide levels should stay under 10 µg/m³ annually and 25 µg/m³ daily

Indian cities frequently blow past these thresholds. Many urban areas hit PM2.5 concentrations above 100 µg/m³ on bad days. That’s more than twenty times the acceptable limit.

At such high levels, air pollution becomes dangerous. Respiratory diseases, heart problems, and premature death all become more likely. Even brief exposure to heavy pollution can trigger asthma attacks, strokes, and respiratory infections. This is a serious public health emergency.

Indoor Air Pollution: Are Our Homes and Offices Really Safe?

Air quality problems don’t stop at your front door. Many people think staying indoors protects them from pollution. Research shows indoor air can actually be dirtier than outdoor air.

Several sources create indoor pollution:

Solid Fuel Use: Burning wood and coal for cooking releases harmful pollutants. These emissions raise lung disease risks, especially in homes with poor ventilation.

Poor Ventilation: Bad air circulation traps outdoor pollutants inside buildings. People end up breathing contaminated air for hours, sometimes at higher concentrations than outside.

Household Items: Carpets, furniture, and cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals slowly degrade indoor air quality.

Passive Smoking: Tobacco smoke indoors raises lung cancer and respiratory disease risks for everyone in the household.

Fighting indoor air pollution takes several steps. Air purifiers with quality filters help a lot. Make sure living and working spaces have good ventilation. Cut down on domestic pollutant sources where you can. In highly polluted cities, seal windows during peak pollution hours. Switch chemical cleaners for eco-friendly options. These changes improve indoor air substantially.

For ongoing respiratory problems linked to poor air quality, see a pulmonary specialist.

Strategies for Indians to Tackle Air Pollution

Fixing air pollution in India needs government action, community efforts, and individual steps. Policy changes like stricter emission standards and electric vehicle promotion are crucial. But people can protect themselves right now.

Stay Indoors During Peak Pollution: Air Quality Index readings change throughout the day. Skip outdoor activities when pollution peaks, usually during morning and evening rush hours.

Use Protective Equipment: Good N95 masks cut down on pollutant inhalation when you must go outside. Air purifiers with HEPA filters clean indoor air effectively.

Keep Living Spaces Clean: Regular cleaning removes dust, pet dander, and chemical pollutants from your home. This simple habit improves air quality considerably.

Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke: Tobacco smoke damages lung function and makes you more vulnerable to pollution. Keeping homes smoke-free protects everyone who lives there.

Support Green Policies: Push for programs promoting cleaner fuels, better public transit, and tougher industrial pollution rules. Real solutions need systemic changes.

These habits reduce health issues caused by air pollution while supporting larger environmental reforms.

Exercise and Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Pollution Effects

Physical activity keeps lungs healthy. But exercising when air quality is poor can backfire. Your breathing rate jumps during workouts, which means more pollutants enter your lungs when the air is dirty.

Regular exercise does strengthen lungs and immunity over time. This helps your body fight pollution effects better. The trick is working out strategically.

Choose the Right Time and Place: Exercise early morning or after rain when pollution typically drops. Indoor gyms or well-ventilated facilities offer safer options in heavily polluted areas. Understanding the types of air pollution in your area helps you pick better workout times.

Practice Breathing Exercises: Yoga, controlled breathing, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs boost lung capacity. These practices help manage respiratory conditions worsened by pollution.

Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Fruits, vegetables, and nuts fight oxidative stress from pollution exposure. A diet loaded with these foods provides internal defense against pollutant damage.

Exercise can’t eliminate pollution effects completely. Combining smart workout choices with healthy lifestyle habits does reduce the damage considerably.

Why Immediate Action on Air Pollution is Critical for India

Air pollution has moved from an environmental issue to a direct health threat. Lung cancer rates keep climbing. Heart disease increases. Life expectancy falls. Poor air quality drives all of these problems.

The recent Lancet study should wake India up. Government reforms and industrial changes are necessary but not enough. People need to take personal action to cut exposure and protect their health.

Know the dangers. Check air quality regularly. Make deliberate lifestyle changes. These steps help you handle the growing pollution crisis better. The types of air pollution affecting India include particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. Each creates different health risks that need specific responses.

More people understand air pollution and health issues now. This awareness must drive action at every level. Individual protective steps matter. Large-scale policy reforms matter. Fixing air quality takes sustained effort from everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Indian cities have the highest air pollution levels?
Delhi tops the list with PM2.5 levels often exceeding 300 µg/m³. Other heavily polluted cities include Kanpur, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, and Patna. Air pollution in India is severe in the northern cities in winter from crop burning, vehicle emissions, and weather patterns that trap pollutants.

2. What are the WHO recommended safe levels for air pollutants?
WHO guidelines set PM2.5 at maximum 5 µg/m³ annually or 15 µg/m³ in 24 hours. PM10 limits are 15 µg/m³ annually and 45 µg/m³ daily. Nitrogen dioxide should stay below 10 µg/m³ annually and 25 µg/m³ daily.

3. Can indoor air pollution be more dangerous than outdoor pollution?
Yes, indoor air sometimes has higher pollutant levels than outdoor air. Poor ventilation traps outdoor pollutants while indoor sources like cooking smoke and cleaning products add more contaminants. Homes using solid fuels for cooking face especially high pollution.

4. Which foods help counteract the harmful effects of air pollution?
Antioxidant-rich foods combat pollution damage. Eat berries, leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flaxseeds reduce inflammation. Turmeric and green tea support respiratory health.