Cancer in India

10 Oct 2023 Cancer in India

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Cancer in India”. This topic has relevance in the “Social Issues” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:
What is the status of Cancer in India?

For Mains:
GS2:  Social Issues

Why in the news?

Due to the limited success in several Indian districts in effectively implementing cancer screening as per Health Ministry guidelines, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is preparing to introduce corrective actions.

Understanding Cancer:

• Cancer is a condition characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spreading of specific cells within the body. It can begin anywhere in the body, consisting of trillions of cells. 
• Usually, cells grow, divide, and replace old ones in a structured manner. However, sometimes, this process goes awry, causing abnormal cells to multiply and form tumours, which can be cancerous.

Cancer in India:

• Cancer is a significant public health concern in India, ranking third globally in incidence after China and the United States. 
• It’s projected that India will see a significant 57.5% increase in cancer cases between 2020 and 2040, according to the Global Cancer Observatory.

Advancements in Cancer Treatment:

• Targeted Therapies: Modern targeted cancer therapies have made significant strides. For instance, a 35-year-old man with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive, an advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) type, turned asymptomatic after three months on a targeted drug Lorlatinib.
• Surgical Management: Robot-assisted surgery and minimally invasive techniques like “keyhole” surgery have emerged as noteworthy innovations in cancer treatment. In the past couple of years, there has been a notable rise in the adoption of onco-robotics or robotic onco-surgery in India. This advancement has significantly enhanced surgical precision and led to a substantial reduction in recovery time.
• Medical Management: In the last 5-7 years, there have been major advances in radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Advanced radiotherapy techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), have greatly improved cancer treatment in India.
• Immunotherapy: This type of cancer treatment helps your immune system fight cancer. It is a significant area of cancer research. Immunotherapy, in some instances, is referred to as biologic therapy or biotherapy.
• Chemotherapy: It is a cancer treatment that employs medications to eliminate cancer cells.
• Radiation Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours.

Reducing Cancer Mortality in India:

• Preventing Tobacco-Related Cancers: Tobacco is the leading identified cause of cancer, responsible for around 40 to 50% of cancers in men and about 20% in women. Preventing tobacco consumption could significantly decrease cancer incidence.
• Early Detection: Most cancer-related deaths occur in individuals younger than 70 years. Early detection is crucial for effective cancer management.
• Improving Access to Healthcare Resources: Rural areas, in particular, face a shortage of healthcare resources. Enhancing access to healthcare could help lower cancer mortality.
• Raising Awareness and Providing Education: There is a lack of awareness and a social stigma associated with cancer. Increasing awareness and educating the public about cancer could facilitate early detection and treatment.
• Making Treatment Affordable: Cancer treatment can be costly. Ensuring more affordable treatment options could alleviate the financial burden of cancer.
• Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle: Dietary habits, inadequate physical activity, and alcohol consumption are risk factors for various types of cancer. Promoting a healthy lifestyle could help prevent these cancers.
• Advancing Research: The significant variation in cancer rates in India suggests the existence of other risk factors or causative agents that are yet to be discovered. Further research could help identify these factors and develop strategies to address them.

Sources: ICMR project to accelerate cancer screening at district level – The Hindu

Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 10th Oct 2023

 

Q1. With reference to cancer, consider the following statements: 

1. Cancer is an ailment in which certain cells within the body undergo uncontrolled growth and spread to other areas.
2. India is the world’s second-highest country for cancer cases after China.
3. Oral cancer has the highest incidence in India, followed by Cervical Cancer. 

Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only 

(d) None 

Answer: (a) 

 

Q2. Which of the following is the primary purpose of immunotherapy in cancer treatment?

(a) Reducing recovery time of the patient

(b) Enhancing surgical precision in cancer surgeries 

(c) Helping the immune system fight cancer

(d) Using high doses of radiation

Answer: (c)

Q3. Discuss the key factors contributing to the rising incidence of cancer in India and the strategies that can be employed to address this pressing issue.  

Gaurav N