Common Types of Cancer Spreading in India - Causes, Treatment, Prevention, Precaution

Here's a comprehensive overview of the common types of cancer in India, along with their causes, treatment options, prevention, and precautions:

 🔹 Common Types of Cancer in India

 1. Breast Cancer

• Most common in women, especially in urban areas.
• Increasing due to lifestyle changes and late childbearing.

 2. Cervical Cancer

• Second most common in Indian women
• Strongly linked to HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection

 3. Oral Cancer

• Common in both men and women.
• Especially high among tobacco users.

 4. Lung Cancer

• More common in men.
• Strongly linked to smoking and air pollution.

 5. Stomach Cancer

•  High incidence in certain regions due to dietary habits and infections (e.g., H. pylori).

 6. Colorectal (Colon) Cancer

•  Increasing due to sedentary lifestyle and diet rich in red/processed meat.

 7. Prostate Cancer

•  Increasing in older men due to aging and better detection methods.

 8. Liver Cancer

•  Often due to hepatitis B/C infections or alcohol use.

 🔹 Major Causes of Cancer in India

Cause	Examples/Details
Tobacco Use	Cigarettes, chewing tobacco – leading cause
Infections	HPV (cervical), Hepatitis B/C (liver), H. pylori (stomach)
Alcohol Consumption	Especially linked to liver and oral cancers
Diet & Obesity	High-fat diet, red/processed meat, low fiber
Genetic Factors	Family history increases risk
Pollution	Air pollution – lung and throat cancers
Lack of Screening	Late detection leads to high mortality
Sedentary Lifestyle	Contributes to obesity-linked cancers

 🔹 Cancer Treatment Options

Modern medical science has made tremendous strides in treatment of cancer. Often early detection leads to complete cure from this dreaded disease. Some patients may require a combination of different treatment types for complete healing

TYPE	DETAILS
Surgery	Removal of the tumor or affected organ
Radiation Therapy	High-energy rays used to kill cancer cells
Chemotherapy	Drugs that kill or stop the growth of cancer cells
Immunotherapy	Boosts body’s natural defenses to fight cancer
Targeted Therapy	Drugs target specific genes or proteins in cancer
Hormone Therapy	Used in breast and prostate cancers
Palliative Care	To reduce pain and improve quality of life in later stages

 🔹 Prevention Tips

 ✅ Lifestyle Changes

• Avoid tobacco and alcohol
• Maintain healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber food

 ✅ Vaccinations

• HPV vaccine: Prevents cervical cancer
• Hepatitis B vaccine: Reduces risk of liver cancer

 ✅ Regular Screening

• Pap smear (cervical cancer)
• Mammography (breast cancer)
• Colonoscopy (colon cancer)
• Oral examination (oral cancer)

 ✅ Safe Practices

• Safe sex (to prevent HPV)
• Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants

 🔹 General Precautions

• Be alert to early symptoms like lumps, unusual bleeding, persistent cough, or changes in moles.
• Consult a doctor for any persistent or unusual symptoms.
• Encourage regular checkups after age 40 or earlier if family history exists.
• Reduce stress and ensure adequate sleep for better immunity.

Palium Healthcare is an initiative of Palium Foundation and is established with the objective of helping children, adolescents, adults and elderly to deal with health challenges. Our professionals strive to provide excellent treatment at affordable cost.