Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh), Feb 3 (TNT): Cancer is increasingly emerging as a lifestyle-linked disease, particularly in regions witnessing rapid urbanisation, according to Dr Naresh Purohit, Advisor to the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
Addressing a Community Cancer Awareness Programme organised by Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research on the eve of World Cancer Day, here on Tuesday, Dr Purohit said changing lifestyles—marked by high-calorie diets, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, reduced physical activity and exposure to agricultural chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides are significantly contributing to the growing cancer burden.
The senior epidemiologist and Principal Investigator for the Association of Studies in Cancer Care noted that India is witnessing a clear epidemiological transition. “Earlier, hospitals saw more patients with infectious diseases.
Today, far more cases are linked to cancers and other non-communicable diseases driven by lifestyle changes. This shift has quietly accompanied urban growth,” he said.
Expressing concern over the scale of the problem, Dr Purohit observed that cancer has become so widespread that almost every family is affected either directly or indirectly.
“Lifestyle cancers do not appear overnight; they silently grow with our daily choices,” he added.
He explained that while urban living has brought comfort and convenience, it has also resulted in unhealthy diets, sedentary behaviour, tobacco use, pollution exposure and unsafe food practices. “The real shift in India is that we no longer fall sick only from infections—we fall sick from our habits,” he said.
The noted preventive oncologist highlighted that nearly 40–50 per cent of cancers are potentially preventable through lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity and limiting processed food intake.
He also pointed out that rising cancer numbers are partly due to improved awareness and better diagnostic facilities.
“Cancer is no longer a death sentence if detected early. One-third of cancers are preventable, another one-third are curable with early treatment, and for the remaining cases, palliative care can significantly improve quality of life,” Dr Purohit emphasised.
He added that widespread immunisation, improved sanitation, access to clean drinking water and antibiotics have led to a decline in infectious diseases. However, this decline has coincided with the rise of lifestyle-related ailments driven by long working hours, stress, lack of sleep and physical inactivity.
Experts at the programme also flagged food adulteration and increased consumption of packaged, pre-cooked and smoked foods, processed red meats, and high-salt foods containing nitrosamines as key cancer risk factors.
They recommended a diet rich in fresh, unprocessed foods, antioxidant-rich fruits, cruciferous vegetables, fibre, turmeric and ginger.
TNT TS
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