New Delhi: Older adults and middle-aged adults are more at risk of developing cancer, and dying from the deadly disease in India, according to a study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal showed that the elderly (aged 70 years and above) had the highest risk of developing cancer – more than 10% – and dying from it – 7.7%.
The risk of middle-aged (15-49 years) developing cancer is 8.3%, while their odds of dying from the disease is 5.5%.
The researchers emphasised the need to increase targeted interventions and strategies “to tackle the escalating cancer burden in India, with about 70% of cases and deaths occurring in the middle- and older-age groups”, the team said.
The ICMR researchers also projected that in the coming two decades, India will face a formidable challenge in managing deaths related to cancer incidence, with a yearly increase of 2% in cases as the population ages.
The team examined trends in 36 types of cancer in the country.
The study was carried out across age groups and genders over the past 20 years. Notably, it showed that three in every five people in India are likely to succumb to cancer following diagnosis. The findings also revealed that the five most common cancers affecting both genders collectively account for 44% of the cancer burden in India.
However, women in India were found to bear a “disproportionate burden”, as breast cancer continues to be the most prevalent. Breast cancer contributes to 13.8% of new cases from both genders followed by cervical cancer (9.2%).
Crucial test for treatment options free soon in Goa
Panaji: The Goa government will soon make available Foundation One laboratory test to citizens free of cost, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Monday.
The laboratory test analyses tumour tissue to help determine which drugs or therapies might be effective for a patient’s cancer.
“There is a test called Foundation One, which is not available in any government hospital in any of the states in the country. Even private hospitals do not carry it out free of cost. We would be able to provide the right kind of responsive treatment to a cancer patient,” said Rane. He said Goa will be the first state to provide the facility of Foundation One test to cancer patients free of cost.
Stating that the test usually costs around Rs 2-3 lakh, the Health Minister said, “We have spoken to an international company and the test would be conducted under CSR initiative. Samples would be sent to America and once results come, we will know what protocol to follow for treatment. We will be able to save the lives of people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rane also said that the government has sent a proposal to the Centre for setting up a multi-functional day care centre at the old Asilo hospital premises.
