New Delhi:
Unhealthy lifestyle choices including regular consumption of ultra-processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle are contributing to a rise in the incidence of cancer among people under the age of 40 in India, doctors said on Sunday.
There are several factors contributing to the rise in cancer cases among young people in India.
Among the main reasons are increased consumption of processed foods, tobacco and alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and stress.
Environmental pollution is another important factor.
Indian cities suffer from high levels of pollution, which has been linked to various types of cancer.
Air and water pollution expose people to carcinogens and greatly increase their risk of cancer.
“Ultra-processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle are major contributing factors in the rising incidence of cancer among young people in India.”
“High consumption of these foods, which are full of unhealthy additives, coupled with lack of exercise is creating a health crisis,” Dr Rahul Bhargava, director and head of the department of haematology and bone marrow transplantation at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, told IANS.
“Adopting healthier eating habits and active lifestyles is essential to curb this worrying trend,” he added.
According to a recent study by the Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit organisation, 20% of cancer cases in India are currently diagnosed in people under the age of 40.
Studies have shown that 60 percent of young cancer patients are men and the remaining 40 percent are women.
The gender gap may be due to higher rates of smoking, occupational smoking and lifestyle choices among men in India.
“Rising obesity rates, change in dietary habits, especially increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and sedentary lifestyle are associated with rising incidence of cancer in the country,” Dr Ashish Gupta, principal investigator and senior oncologist at Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, Delhi, told IANS.
The doctors urged for the urgent need for lifestyle interventions to combat the rising cancer rates among young Indians. Dr Ashish, who is also director of the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign in India, stressed the importance of “a concerted effort by the government, medical professionals and the community to tackle the rising cancer rates among young adults.”
“We must prioritize policies that promote access to clean air and water, regular exercise and nutritious food. In addition, we must invest in better health infrastructure to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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