ICMR Study Highlights Gender Disparities In Cancer Incidence & Mortality

A new study conducted by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has revealed critical insights into cancer trends across India.

The data shows that women accounted for a slightly higher number of cancer cases, but men faced a greater risk of mortality.

Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the study analysed 708,223 cancer cases and 206,457 cancer-related deaths recorded from 43 population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) across India between 2015 and 2019.

Key Findings

The study found that over 50 per cent of cancer cases were reported among women, whereas 49 per cent were in men.

However, when it came to mortality, the situation reversed — 55 per cent of cancer-related deaths occurred in men, compared to 45 per cent in women.

Among men, the most common cancers included mouth cancer (113,249 cases), lung cancer (74,763), and prostate cancer (49,998).

For women, breast cancer was the most prevalent (238,085 cases), followed by cervical (78,499) and ovarian cancer (48,984).

Female genital system cancers contributed to 171,497 cases, while cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx made up 217,327 cases in men.

The study highlighted a concerning trend — a rapidly increasing cancer burden in rural areas.

Several districts in states such as Kerala and Assam, which have more than 50 per cent rural populations, reported the highest cancer burden for both genders.

“In regions with a majority rural population, an average of 76 men and 67 women per one lakh people were diagnosed with cancer,” the study stated.

Northeastern states, including Aizawl, East Khasi Hills, Papumpare, Kamrup Urban, and Mizoram, consistently recorded the highest incidence rates in the country.

Oesophageal cancer emerged as the most common cancer in this region.

Urban Insights and National Estimates

Among metropolitan cities, Delhi had the highest overall cancer incidence — 146 cases per 100,000 people.

Ahmedabad saw a noticeable rise in incidence, with an annual increase of 4.7 per cent in men and 6.9 per cent in women.

Based on current trends, the study estimated that India would report 1,562,099 new cancer cases and 874,404 deaths in 2024.

This includes 781,277 new cases among women and 780,822 among men.

Researchers stressed the urgent need to strengthen cancer prevention and control strategies.

“This underscores a need to intensify efforts to reduce the growing cancer burden across the country,” they said.

The findings underline the importance of targeted health interventions and improved cancer care accessibility, particularly in rural and high-burden regions.

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