A recent study published in the JAMA Open Network by the National Cancer Registry Programme has identified Hyderabad as India's breast cancer capital, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 54.0 per 100,000 women. Bengaluru follows closely at 46.7 per 100,000.
The comprehensive analysis, which examined data from 43 population-based cancer registries (PBCR) across India from 2015 to 2019, shows that urban centres in South India are experiencing distinct cancer epidemics. Of the top six regions with the highest national breast cancer rates, four are in South India, including Chennai (45.4 per 100,000) and Kerala’s Alappuzha (42.2 per 100,000) and Thiruvananthapuram (40.7 per 100,000). This pattern establishes South India, particularly its urban areas, as the epicentre of the country's breast cancer epidemic. Breast cancer is projected to affect 238,085 women nationally in 2024, making it the most common cancer among Indian women. The data suggests that local risk factors may be driving the rise of breast cancer in South Indian metros, where it is more prevalent than other cancer types.
While South Indian cities lead in breast cancer, lung cancer patterns reveal a more complex story of regional and gender-specific risk factors. Among females, north-eastern states dominate lung cancer incidence with Aizawl recording an alarming 33.7 per 100,000 and Mizoram at 24.8 per 100,000.
After Srinagar, which has a national high of 39.5 per 100,000, several Kerala districts follow: Kannur (35.4), Malabar (32.5), Kasargod (26.6), Alappuzha (25.3), and Kollam (24.2 per 100,000). In contrast, other South Indian metros have more moderate rates, with Bengaluru at 13.2, Hyderabad at 12.9, and Chennai at 12.3 per 100,000. The study reports a statistically significant increase in lung cancer in five PBCRs for males and nine for females, including a 3.7 per cent increase for males and 5.5 pc for females in Bengaluru, because of tobacco use.
Oral cancer patterns in South India show significant urban-rural and interstate variations, with cities holding mixed national rankings. While Ahmedabad Urban leads nationally with 33.6 per 100,000 males, South Indian cities occupy important positions.
Cervical cancer patterns across South India reveal stark contrasts with national trends and highlight potential healthcare access disparities.
While north-eastern states dominate cervical cancer incidence nationally, with Aizawl showing an extraordinary 27.01 per 100,000 and Mizoram at 22.6 per 100,000, South Indian cities present a more moderate but concerning picture.
Among South Indian regions, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh records 15.0 per 100,000, Bengaluru shows 13.8 per 100,000, Chennai 12.4 per 100,000, and Hyderabad 12.1 per 100,000.
Prostate cancer trends between South Indian cities are moderate incidence rates when compared to top national areas. Kerala districts head South India's prostate cancer, with Trivandrum at 11.1 per 100,000 and Alappuzha at 10.8 per 100,000. Of the major metros, Bengaluru has 9.8 per 100,000, Chennai 9.5 per 100,000, and Hyderabad at 7.8 per 100,000.
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