"Health of the Nation" Report Unveils India's Lower Median Cancer Diagnosis Age

Summary:

Apollo Hospitals' recent "Health of the Nation" report reveals a concerning trend in India's battle against cancer, showing a significantly lower median age for cancer diagnosis compared to the U.S., the U.K., and China. Specifically, the report highlights that the median diagnosis age for breast cancer in India is 52, compared to 63 in the U.S. and the U.K., and for lung cancer, 59 as opposed to approximately 70 in Western countries. This data, reflecting the prevalence of cancers among India's younger population, underscores the urgent need for improved cancer screening and awareness.

Important Points:

• Younger Diagnosis Age: The report emphasizes that cancers, including breast, cervical, and lung cancer, affect a younger demographic in India, with median diagnosis ages of 52, 54, and 59 years, respectively.
  

• Rise in Colon Cancer Among Youth: A notable increase in colon cancer cases among individuals under 50 has been observed, with 30% of such patients at Apollo Hospitals being younger than 50.
  

• Low Screening Rates: Cancer screening rates in India are significantly lower than those in countries like the U.S., with only 1.9% of the population screened for breast cancer compared to 74%-82% in the U.S.
  

• Need for Local Data: The report also calls for local data to accurately address health issues, as current standards, such as the PSA threshold for prostate cancer in Indian men, may not be appropriate based on Western data.
  

Additional Information to Remember:

• NCDs' Impact: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, contribute to 70% of deaths today, highlighting the critical challenge they pose to health systems.
  

• Importance of Lifestyle Changes: The report also touches on metabolic diseases, stating that one in three Indians have pre-diabetes, stressing the importance of diet, exercise, and weight management in preventing NCDs.
  

• Screening and Awareness: The stark contrast in cancer screening rates between India and the West points to the need for a comprehensive strategy to enhance awareness and accessibility of cancer screening services across India.

Key Words and Descriptions:

• Median Diagnosis Age: The middle value in the age distribution at which a condition is diagnosed.
  

• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Chronic diseases not passed from person to person, including cancers, diabetes, and heart disease.
  

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): A protein produced by the prostate gland, elevated levels of which can indicate prostate cancer.
  

• Pre-Diabetes: A condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, indicating increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Published in : The Hindu

Date appeared in newspaper : 05 April 2024

Link to the article (might require a paid subscription) : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2024-04-05/th_international/articleGMCCKMMC9-6361678.ece

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