Rise Of Blood Related Cancer In India: Reasons And The Way Forward

5 days ago4 min read

An alarming increase in cancer incidence is occurring in India, a country torn between rapid modernization and structural issues. Blood cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of cancer; it is silent, lethal, and is now steadily becoming more prevalent in our country. After China and the United States, India has the third-highest number of blood cancer cases worldwide, with over 100,000 new instances are estimated to occur each year.

Moreover, our country with its enormous population, has fewer reported cases than Western countries, but the mortality rate is much higher- an obvious symptom of flaws in our healthcare system.

Blood Cancer: The Internal Enemy

Cellular rebellion is what causes blood cancer.

It takes over the lymphatic and bone marrow systems, impairing the body's capacity to fight off infections and maintain essential processes. Among the three main categories are:

1. Leukaemia: It is an immune system-damaging white blood cell takeover, which affects both people over 40 and children under 14, thus making up about half of all blood cancer cases in India.

2. Lymphoma: It is a sudden and insidious attack on the lymphatic system, which renders the body practically powerless. Its incidence is rising annually at a rate of 3-5%.

3. Multiple Myeloma: It is a disorder in plasma cells, which doesn't allow for antibody production. This type of cancer strikes 10,000 patients in India each year.

While the causes vary, every blood cancer benefits from ignorance and delayed treatment.

Why Is India Experiencing An Increase In Blood Cancer?

This disease has spread throughout India for the following reasons:

1. Genetics & Age: The Uncontrollable Dangers

There are certain malignancies that prevail in specific age groups. Leukaemia affects people above 40 and those below 14 years of age. A family history of blood problems also significantly increases the risk.

2. Alcohol and Tobacco: The Self-Inflicted Harm

As it destroys DNA, suppresses immunity, and welcomes disease, tobacco is a cancer time bomb, being accountable for more than 37% of cancer-related deaths in India. Moreover alcohol hampers the development of bone marrow cells. This causes the deleterious enhancement of the multiplication of malignant cells.

3. Occupational and Environmental Hazards: The Cost of Progress

Economic expansion has come with urbanisation, but so has pollution, radiation, and exposure to industrial toxins. The risk of leukaemia is two to three times higher for workers in the chemical, rubber, and pesticide industries.

4. Lifestyle Decisions: A Contemporary Crisis

India's obesity rates have skyrocketed as a result of the country's fast transition to processed foods, diets high in sugar, and sedentary lifestyles. The immune system is weakened by poor diet, which facilitates the spread of cancer.

5. Misinformation & Late Diagnosis: The Silent Killers

The three most deadly co-morbidities in India are still stigma, ignorance, and lack of awareness. The five-year survival rate is only 30%, compared to the global norm of 50%, since many patients, particularly those in rural areas, seek medical attention too late.

Therapy: A Struggle for Access & Money

1. Inadequate Infrastructure for Healthcare

The majority of India's best cancer hospitals are located in major cities, leaving millions of people in rural areas without access to quality local clinics. Only 15% of cancer care facilities are located outside of urban areas, even though 70% of people live in rural areas.

2. Exorbitant Treatment Expenses

Treating blood cancer proves too expensive a proposition. Price-wise, a large percentage cannot afford to incur an expense range of ₹10-30 lakhs ($12,000-$36,000). In insurance schemes also, the expense turns out to be beyond many persons' pocket-size. The monetary burden of such bone marrow transplantation increases multi folds.

3. Bone Marrow Donor Deficiency

Only 0.09% of Indians are registered stem cell donors, which is a startlingly low percentage. The gap between supply and demand is still very large because of ignorance and false information.

4. Lack of Experts in Cancer

India needs more than 5,000 medical oncologists, yet there are barely 2,000 available. While rural patients depend on underqualified practitioners who frequently misdiagnose or mistreat these complex disorders, the top doctors are clustered in urban facilities.

The Path Ahead: Restoring a Damaged System

India needs strategy, money, and public awareness—not a miracle.

1.Establish Early Detection as the Standard

Introduce national screening initiatives akin to school immunizations.
For high-risk groups, implement yearly blood tests and genetic screenings.
Teach primary care physicians to spot warning indicators.
Establish a Robust Culture of Bone Marrow Donation
Start public education initiatives to debunk misconceptions regarding stem cell donation.
Encourage donor registration drives supported by the government.
Create donor registries that are easily accessible and kept up to date.

2.Provide Accessible and Inexpensive Treatment

Include coverage for specialized blood cancer treatments under Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY).
Increase government funding for immunotherapy, transplants, and chemotherapy.
To decentralize therapy, promote district-level cancer care facilities.

3.Invest in Research and Innovation

Fund genomic research to offer therapies tailored to the genetic profile of Indians.
To reduce costs, promote in-house production of cancer drugs.
Promote collaboration between hospitals, biotech companies, and medical researchers.

4.Enhance Public Awareness

Educate people about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and certain lifestyle choices.
Strict anti-smoking regulations and high taxes on things that cause cancer.
Internet-based awareness campaigns, consultations, and telemedicine.

Last Word: No More Justifications

In India, blood cancer is a growing crisis rather than a theoretical problem. It is anticipated that the number of cancer cases will rise from 1.46 million in 2022 to 1.57 million in 2025. Given that one in nine Indians may get cancer at some point in their lives, immediate action is imperative.

Aggressive policy changes, increased access to treatment, and early detection are the answers. Only with urgency, action, and a resolute commitment to change will this struggle be won.

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