India recorded an estimated 15.6 lakh cancer cases and 8.74 lakh deaths in 2024, according to a new analysis of cancer registry data from across the country. The findings were based on information collected from 43 cancer registries between 2015 and 2019, with 7.08 lakh cases and 2.06 lakh deaths recorded.

Women made up a higher share of cancer cases (51.1%) but a lower share of cancer deaths (45%).

Explaining this, Dr. Prashant Mathur, director of ICMR’s National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, said:

“The apparent disparity of more cases but fewer deaths can largely be explained by the types of cancers most common in women. Breast and cervical cancers together account for 40% of female cancers and generally have better prognosis, higher survival, and established screening programmes that support earlier detection and treatment. In contrast, men experience higher mortality because their leading cancers, oral, lung, liver, stomach, and oesophagus, are often diagnosed late and have poorer outcomes.”

He added, “Our recent survival analysis also indicates that women with oral cancers tend to have slightly better survival rates than men.”

The analysis found that oral cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common cancer among men. This trend was observed in 14 registries for men and in four for women.

Dr. Mathur explained that despite a fall in tobacco use from 34.6% to 28.6% between 2009–10 and 2016–17, oral cancer cases remain high because of the long delay between exposure and disease.

“Evidence from cancer studies suggests that it often takes at least 20 years or more for cancer to develop after the first exposure to a carcinogen like tobacco,” he said. “High alcohol consumption, another established risk factor for oral cancer, also contributes to this burden.”

Adding to this, Dr. Abhishek Shankar, oncologist at AIIMS-Delhi, said alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancers.

“It also increases the risk of gastric and colorectal cancers, which are among the common cancers in men. While both alcohol and tobacco consumption are individually known to increase the risk of cancers, together they are known to compound it,” he noted.

The Northeastern states showed some of the highest cancer rates in the country. For example, Aizawl reported 198.4 cases per 100,000 men and 172.5 per 100,000 women, the highest among all registries.

Dr. Mathur said lifestyle and diet play a role here:

“The use of tobacco among females and males in all the Northeastern states is significantly higher than the national average. Besides tobacco, betel nut chewing and certain dietary habits, such as consumption of sa-um (fermented pork fat), smoked dried salted meat and fish, very spicy food, hot beverages, and the use of soda as a food additive, also contribute to cancer risk.”

He also pointed to higher infection-related risks like Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis, Salmonella typhi, and HPV, which act as cancer triggers.

Dr. Shankar added that the smoking of meat and the use of preservatives increase nitrogen compound exposure, while indoor air pollution from fire heating worsens risks.

Regional trends across India

  • Breast cancer rates were highest in Hyderabad (54 per 100,000).

  • Cervical cancer was most common in Aizawl (27.1 per 100,000).

  • Lung cancer among men peaked in Srinagar (39.5), and among women in Aizawl (33.7).

  • Oral cancer in men was highest in Ahmedabad (33.6), while in women it was in East Khasi Hills (13.6).

  • Prostate cancer was most frequent in Srinagar (12.7).

Experts say that more screening and awareness are needed, especially for women. Breast cancer, which makes up nearly 30% of female cancers, can be detected early through screening.

Dr. Mathur stressed the importance of vaccination and awareness for cervical cancer prevention.

“Cervical cancer incidence was below 4 per 100,000 in only two registries and emphasised the need to strengthen screening, HPV vaccination, and awareness,” he said.

The Government has been expanding cancer care through screenings at health and wellness centres, district-level day care centres, and tertiary treatment facilities under Ayushman Bharat. Work is also underway to reduce the cost of new cancer drugs by cutting duties.