Cancer remains one of India’s most significant health challenges, with a growing number of men affected by various types of the disease. In 2022, nearly 6.9 lakh new cancer cases were diagnosed in men across the country, a troubling statistic that highlights the increasing prevalence.
Factors such as lifestyle changes, environmental influences, and genetic predispositions are contributing to this rise in cases. Most of these cancers often go undiagnosed until they reach advanced stages, making early detection and prevention more critical than ever.
This Men’s Health Week, understand the top five cancers affecting Indian men, including key risk factors, symptoms to watch for, and the importance of early detection and prevention in improving outcomes.
1. Oral Cavity CancerOral cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in India, primarily driven by the widespread use of tobacco in various forms, including smoking, chewing, gutka, and pan masala. Alcohol consumption is another significant risk factor, with the combined use of tobacco and alcohol markedly increasing the risk. Other contributing factors include poor oral hygiene and chronic irritation from sharp or broken teeth.
What to Look For: Be aware of any persistent mouth sores, swelling in the mouth and neck, white patches (leukoplakia), or red patches (erythroplakia) that don't heal. Difficulty opening the mouth fully is also a concern.
Actionable Advice: The most crucial step is to stop consumption of all forms of tobacco and limit alcohol intake. While regular dental check-ups are important, maintaining good oral hygiene and eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables also helps reduce the risk.
2. Lung CancerLung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men in India. While tobacco smoking remains the primary cause, non-smokers are also at risk due to exposure to second-hand smoke. Both indoor and outdoor environmental pollution, along with passive smoking, are significant contributing factors.
Warning Signs: A persistent cough (lasting more than two weeks despite specific treatment), breathing difficulty, blood in sputum, or unexplained changes in voice should prompt immediate medical attention.
Actionable Advice: Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. Take precautions against air pollution, especially in highly polluted areas, by wearing masks. In this case, too, consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables helps reduce the risk.
3. Esophageal CancerThe third most frequent cancer in Indian men is oesophageal cancer. It affects the food pipe or oesophagus, which is the connection from the throat to the stomach. One of the most prominent symptoms is difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia. This typically starts with trouble swallowing solid foods and may progress to difficulty with liquids. Another key symptom is unintentional weight loss, often resulting from inadequate nutritional intake due to swallowing difficulties. Early recognition of these signs is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
Contributing Factors: Smoking and Alcohol are major risk factors. People with acid reflux are prone to develop a precancerous condition in the lower part of the oesophagus. Consuming very hot beverages and a diet high in salted or very spicy foods is associated with an increased risk.
Actionable Advice: Any persistent difficulty in swallowing or unexplained weight loss should be evaluated by a doctor without delay.
4. Colorectal CancerThere is an emerging trend in India where colorectal cancer is being diagnosed much more often in younger individuals. While some cases may involve hereditary factors, lifestyle contributes dramatically to the increase in incidence. Diets high in red meat, obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use are all notable risk factors worth addressing to address this growing public health issue. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, have a higher risk.
What to Look For: Changes in bowel habits (like alternating constipation and diarrhoea), blood or mucus in stools, or persistent abdominal pain should be discussed with a doctor.
Actionable Advice: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, reducing red meat, and increasing fruits and vegetables is very important. Additionally, regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol are essential.
5. Stomach CancerFifth in incidence among men, diagnosing stomach cancer can prove difficult due to non-specific and often vague symptoms that can easily be misinterpreted as standard indigestion. Symptoms such as decreased appetite, feeling full after only eating a small amount of food, or weight loss, or passing black stools, which is often ignored, may lead to delayed diagnoses because of the overlap with benign gastrointestinal issues, making early diagnosis essential yet difficult.
Contributing Factors: While H. pylori infection is a known risk factor, alcohol and smoking, diets high in salty food like salted dried fish, meat, pickles, and very spicy foods are also implicated.
Actionable Advice: Do not ignore symptoms of digestive discomfort. If you have symptoms like any of the ones listed that occur regularly, please consult with a health professional to get it checked. Consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables helps reduce the risk. H pylori infection needs to be treated.
While each type has its own set of risk factors and warning signs, a common thread across all is the critical importance of early detection. Regular health check-ups, awareness of symptoms, and timely medical consultation can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. Adopting healthier habits, like quitting tobacco, moderating alcohol intake, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active, can go a long way in prevention.
Ultimately, understanding these types of cancers makes you powerful to take proactive actions for your own health. If you have some ongoing, persistent symptoms, do see a healthcare professional immediately.
Authored by: Dr. Thangarajan Rajkumar, Director of Research (Oncology), MedGenome
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