Women in India are more likely to get cancer while men are more likely to die from it, a paradox revealed in a recent study of the country's cancer registry. Women represent just over half of all new cancer cases, but the majority of deaths are among men.
In 2022, global cancer statistics showed that men were diagnosed at a higher rate compared to women, which contradicts the findings in India. The common cancers for women include breast, cervical, and ovarian, with these types often linked to lifestyle changes, including delayed pregnancies and sedentary habits.
Men, on the other hand, predominantly suffer from oral, lung, and prostate cancers, heavily influenced by tobacco use. These cancers tend to be more aggressive and less responsive to treatment. Factors such as lower awareness and a reluctance to seek early medical intervention further complicate men's outcomes.
Specialists indicate that public health campaigns focused on women's health contribute to earlier cancer detection for women, while men often miss preventive care opportunities. The disparity is a stark reminder of the urgent need for awareness and targeted health strategies across genders.
Moreover, the accessibility of treatment and the effectiveness of health services vary significantly across regions in India. The northeast region faces particularly high cancer rates attributed to lifestyle choices and high rates of tobacco use.
