India, once known as the diabetes capital, is now on its way to becoming the “Cancer Capital of the World” due to the rapid increase in cancer cases. This information revealed in the ‘Health of Nation Report 2024’ released by Apollo Hospital raises serious questions about the health of the country.
The report highlights the explosive growth in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and mental health disorders in India. According to the report, one in three people in India is pre-diabetic, two-thirds suffer from pre-hypertension and one in every 10 suffers from depression.
Cancer cases are particularly worrying. The report said cancer cases in India are surpassing global rates, putting it on track to become the “cancer capital of the world”. The most worrying thing is that pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension and mental health disorders are emerging at an early age, which can put a huge burden on health services in the future.
So what is the threat to the health of Indians? Many factors have been held responsible in the report.
Tobacco use: Widespread use of tobacco in India increases the risk of lung cancer, mouth cancer and throat cancer. According to reports, about 40% of cancer cases in India are due to tobacco consumption.
Unbalanced diet: Unhealthy eating habits, such as high intake of processed foods and low intake of fruits and vegetables, can increase the risk of obesity and cancer.
Lack of physical exercise: Lack of exercise and a physically inactive lifestyle can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and some types of cancer.
This report is a warning for Indians. We need to change our lifestyle and give priority to our health. Quitting tobacco use, adopting a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise can help reduce the risk of cancer and other non-communicable diseases. Also, it is important to undergo regular health checkups so that any disease can be detected and treated in time.
