Guwahati: Cancer incidence in India is rising sharply, with over 1.56 million new cases and nearly 874,404 deaths projected for 2024, according to a new study under the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), published in JAMA Network Open on August 20, 2025. The study analyzed data from 43 population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) across the country between 2015 and 2019, covering nearly 18% of India’s population.
The lifetime risk of developing cancer in India is now estimated at 11%. However, the situation is far grimmer in the Northeast, with Mizoram reporting lifetime risks of 21.1% in men and 18.9% in women—the highest in the country.
Aizawl emerged as the cancer capital of India, recording the highest age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) for both males (256.1 per 100,000) and females (217.2).
The study highlights stark regional differences. While Mizoram, Aizawl, and other Northeastern states show alarming rates, regions such as Osmanabad and Beed in Maharashtra (males: 30.4) and Dima Hasao in Assam (females: 22.1) reported the lowest incidence rates. Among metropolitan cities, Delhi had the highest overall cancer AAIR in males (146.7), while Hyderabad ranked fifth for females (153.8).
Srinagar recorded the highest incidence of lung cancer among men (39.5 per 100,000), while Ahmedabad Urban saw a troubling rise in oral cancer, with annual increases of 4.7% in men and 6.9% in women.
For men, oral, lung, and prostate cancers are the leading threats, with oral cancers alone expected to contribute 217,327 cases in 2024. For women, breast cancer is the most common (238,085 cases), followed by cervical (78,499) and ovarian cancers (48,984). Mortality patterns are equally concerning.
Digestive system cancers—including esophageal, stomach, and gallbladder cancers—account for the largest share of male deaths (128,695), while breast cancer alone is projected to cause over 102,377 female deaths in 2024.
Between 2002 and 2019, Kamrup Urban in Assam showed a significant increase in overall cancer incidence among men (average annual percent change of 3.3%), while Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala recorded a similar rise among women (3.4%).
Oral cancer cases are climbing across 14 registries for men and four for women. In contrast, stomach cancer showed a declining trend in Aizawl, Mizoram, and Chennai.
India ranks second in Asia and third globally in total cancer cases. Globally, cancer causes nearly 10 million deaths annually, and Southeast Asia is expected to see cases rise from 2.4 million in 2022 to 4.0 million by 2045. India alone could face 2.46 million new cases by 2045.
The NCRP study underscores the urgent need for tailored cancer control policies. “The wide disparities across regions highlight gaps in prevention, screening, and access to treatment. Mizoram’s staggering figures call for immediate intervention,” the investigators said.
Lifestyle factors—including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, and lack of awareness—drive high oral and lung cancer rates, particularly in the Northeast and urban centers. Breast and cervical cancers dominate among women due to inadequate screening and late detection.
The authors urge India to strengthen cancer registries, early detection programs, and healthcare infrastructure. Targeted resource allocation is crucial for high-burden states like Mizoram, Assam, and Delhi, alongside nationwide awareness campaigns.
With Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 mandating a one-third reduction in premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, by 2030, the NCRP report is a wake-up call for India’s policymakers.
“The study provides evidence-based insights that should drive stronger cancer prevention and control strategies. Without urgent measures, India’s cancer burden will continue to rise sharply, straining public health systems and impacting millions of families,” the report concludes.
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