Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology recorded over 21,000 new cases in 2024-OxBig News Network

Based on the Population Based Cancer Registry (PCBR) data, approximately 14 lakh new cancer cases are reported annually in India. Of these, an estimated 87,850 new cases are from Karnataka. 
| Photo Credit: File Photo

The State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology registered as many as 21,051 new cases in 2024. This is apart from 3.89 lakh patients who visited the institute for follow-ups last year. In 2023, of the 21,608 new cases registered in Kidwai, 12,500 were newly-diagnosed cancer cases.

To highlight the significance of cancer awareness, early detection, prevention and treatment, February 4 is observed as World Cancer Day. The theme this year is ‘United by Unique’. To mark the day, the institute is organising an awareness jatha starting from the Kidwai premises to Lalbagh.

Based on the Population Based Cancer Registry (PCBR) data, approximately 14 lakh new cancer cases are reported annually in India. Of these, an estimated 87,850 new cases are from Karnataka. About 2.37 lakh cancer cases (including those on treatment and newly diagnosed) can be noticed at any given point of time in the State.

Female cancers high in Bengaluru

In Bengaluru, of the estimated 15,603 cases registered annually, 8,723 are female cancers. Of the 6,880 male cancers reported, lung cancer continues to be the most predominant site (9.7% of the total male cancers). Lung cancer is followed by cancers of the prostate (6.9%), stomach (6.5%), and mouth (6.4%). 

Among females, breast cancer is the most common constituting 31.5% of the total female cancers followed by cancer of the cervix (9.1%), ovary (6.4%), mouth (4.3%), and corpus uteri (4.2%), according to data shared by Kidwai administrator Naveen Bhat Y. 

“If diagnosed early and optimally treated, nearly 70 % of cancers can be cured. Unfortunately, more than 50% of patients visit the cancer treating centres in an advanced stage when the survival of these patients is minimal. The best way to fight cancer is by prevention, by avoiding or reducing probable risk factors,” stated an official release from the institute.

Risk factors

The increase in incidence and pattern of cancers can be attributed to several risk factors: adoption of a Western lifestyle, tobacco consumption, which contributes to the occurrence of more than a third of cancers. Avoiding paan masala, gutkha, supari and tobacco prevents cancer of mouth, throat, food pipe and stomach. Cessation of tobacco smoking reduces chances of lung cancer, stated the release. 

Alcohol consumption, late marriage, lack of exercise and body hygiene, stress, consumption of junk food, preserved food like salted fish, long term use of hormone tablets, application of inorganic insecticides, pesticides and weedicides are the probable modifiable risk factors for cancers.