Media Coverage
Year 2024-25
ICMR’s latest report shows breast, cervical, lung, and oral cancers are the most common in India. But what’s the cause behind the rise in these cancers? The Financial Express got in touch with leading oncologists who share their insights on the same.
Almost every family in India today has a story linked to cancer. A parent quietly battling treatment, a colleague juggling chemotherapy sessions while trying to keep work going, or a friend who lost a loved one too soon. What was once considered a rare disease is now something people are facing all around them. But just how common is cancer in India right now?
According to a new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), India recorded an estimated 1.56 million new cancer cases and 874,404 deaths in 2024 alone.
Among women, breast cancer is the single biggest threat. Doctors say urban women are especially vulnerable due to delayed marriages, fewer children, limited breastfeeding, hormonal factors, and obesity.
“Breast cancer is rising rapidly in India. While a small percentage of cases are hereditary, the majority are lifestyle-related. Modern factors such as late pregnancies, obesity, alcohol use, and high stress all contribute to the rise,” explains Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Dr Mandeep Singh, chief oncologist at Art of Healing Cancer, points to significant retrospective evidence. He explains, "Chronic stress creates hormonal imbalances and increased cortisol and cytokine release. While cortisol reduces immunity. cytokines drive inflammation and angiogenesis, which fuels metastasis. Together, these changes make people, sometimes even in their 20s and 30s, more vulnerable to cancer.
The latest ICMR study reveals a steep increase in cancer cases, with Mizoram showing the highest lifetime risk. In India, the lifetime risk of developing cancer is about 11%. While oral and lung cancer were reported highest among men, breast and cervical cancers were seen highest among women.
The latest data is a concerning trend, breast and cervical cancers being the most common among women, and oral and lung cancers dominating among men, these four cancers account for nearly 50% of cancer-related deaths in the country," says Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi
Coverage appeared in India Today based on the inputs shared by Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital®, Delhi, on the topic "Delhi tops cancer rates among metros, Srinagar leads in lung cancer: ICMR study"
Breast cancer has a strange way of being both familiar and frightening. Almost everyone knows someone who has battled it, and yet the details of treatment often sound like an alien language. According to the World Health Organisation, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with 2.3 million new cases in 2022 alone. Among these, about 15 to 20 per cent are HER2-positive, the type that is fast-moving, aggressive, and hard to ignore. Increasingly, the doctors are turning to a strategy that feels a bit like hitting “pause” before the main act—neoadjuvant therapy.
“HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive type,” explains Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, co-founder, Art Of Healing Cancer. “It is very important to give the right information to patients and their families for better outcomes. With the right treatment sequence, it is possible to offer better treatment to patients.”
A man in his late 50s with advanced laryngopharyngeal cancer, traditionally treated with total laryngectomy and permanent voice loss, underwent a groundbreaking approach by Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra at CK Birla Hospital® & AOHC, Delhi. Using bio-selection, precision oncology, and robotic surgery, the team combined chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and high-dose vitamin C.
NGS testing at 4 baseC-are Genomics identified CCND and FGFR drivers, enabling targeted drugs Pamigatanib and Palbociclib. Within three cycles, scans showed dramatic tumor regression. Robotic surgery confirmed no residual cancer, with histopathology validating complete response-preserving the patient's voice and showcasing the power of personalized, precision-driven cancer care.In Dr. Malhotra's words, "This success underscores the potential of personalized medicine in the fight against laryngopharyngeal cancer."
An increasing number of throat cancer cases are being diagnosed among non-smokers in India, particularly men under 60. Experts link this rise to HPV infections, lifestyle changes and environmental exposures.
“Traditionally, oropharyngeal cancers in India were largely seen in smokers and tobacco chewers. But now, a growing number of patients, especially men in their 50s—are being diagnosed without any history of smoking,” said Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Imagine being told that cancer in your throat could not only threaten your life but also take away your ability to speak forever. This was the reality for a man in his late 50s who was diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal cancer — a particularly aggressive form that had spread into his voice box and even involved the cartilage. Traditionally, such cases are treated with total laryngectomy, a surgery that removes the entire voice box and leaves patients unable to speak naturally.
This was the reality for a man in his late 50s who was diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal cancer — a particularly aggressive form that had spread into his voice box and even involved the cartilage.
Leading the treatment was Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at a Delhi's CK Birla Hospital, who decided to try an unconventional and bold approach. Instead of going straight for radical surgery, he designed a treatment plan that combined bio-selection, precision oncology, and robotic surgery.
Head and neck cancers, often misdiagnosed, face diagnostic delays due to symptom misattribution and misconceptions about biopsies. Infrastructure limitations and slow biopsy report turnaround times further exacerbate the problem.
In head and neck cancers, the principle is straightforward: early detection leads to simpler, safer, and more effective treatment. Early-stage cancers that have not invaded the skin, jawbone, or lymph nodes can often be treated with minimally invasive surgery. Such procedures are not only functionally and aesthetically favourable but may also eliminate the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy. - Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi
Recent research presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco reveals a stark statistic: cancer deaths associated with obesity in the US have more than tripled: from 3.73 per million in 1999 to 13.52 per million in 2020.
“Obesity is increasingly recognised as a major risk factor for the development and progression of several types of cancer,” highlights Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi. Excess body fat doesn’t just increase weight, it alters the body’s internal environment, triggering hormonal and metabolic imbalances that fuel cancer risk.
"It also leads to insulin resistance, which triggers an increase in insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2). These stimulate abnormal cell division and proliferation,” explains Dr Malhotra. This cellular chaos creates a perfect storm for cancer cells to grow unchecked.
Year 2023-24
डॉ. मनदीप सिंह मल्होत्रा (Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra), डायरेक्टर ऑफ सर्जिकल ऑन्कोलॉजी, सीके बिड़ला हॉस्पिटल दिल्ली, ने बताया कि हेल्दी डाइट कैंसर के इलाज का एक अहम हिस्सा है क्योंकि ये सेल्स के रिपेयर और रिकवरी के लिए जरूरी एनर्जी और न्यूट्रीएंट देता है. कैंसर सेल्स हाई मेटाबॉलिक एक्टिविटी शो करते हैं, जो अक्सर ग्लूकोज को प्राइमरी एनर्जी सोर्स के तोर पर इस्तेमाल करते हैं. लो-ग्लाइसेमिक डाइट शुगर की मौजूदगी को कम कर सकता है, संभावित रूप से कैंसर के प्रोग्रेस को स्लो कर सकता है, खास तौर से ग्लूकोज-डिपेंडेंट कैंसर जैसे हार्मोन-पॉजिटिव ब्रेस्ट कैंसर में. इसके अलावा, हल्दी और बर्बेरीन जैसे न्यूट्रास्यूटिकल्स, नेचुरल सोर्स से हासिल, कई कैंसर के रास्तों को टारगेट करते हैं, और कंवेंशनल थेरेपीज के असर को बढ़ाते हैं. एक बैलेंस्ड डाइट ट्रीटमेंट के साइड इफेक्ट्स को कम करने, इम्यूनिटी को सपोर्ट करने और ओवरऑल हेल्थ को बनाए रखने में मदद करता है, जिससे पेशेंट ट्रीटमेंट को बेहतर तरीके से रिस्पॉन्ड करते हैं.
This helps avoid overtreatment, which can lead to unnecessary side effects and prevents undertreatment, which could leave the patient vulnerable to cancer progression, said Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi.
Genetic screening is crucial in precision medicine, especially for those with a family history of cancer. Such individuals may undergo genetic testing to identify “abnormal genetic pathways”. “For instance, in women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are often detected,” said Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, director of surgical oncology at CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi.
At last Dr. Mandeep said, Radiation therapy may be used for squamous cell carcinoma when surgery is not possible. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are particularly important for advanced melanomas that have spread. These medications can improve survival and disease control. For cases where surgery or radiation is not an option, local chemotherapy or immunotherapy may be used for palliation (symptom relief). The choice of treatment is a complex decision made by a team of specialists based on the individual patient's situation. Early detection and treatment of skin cancer significantly improve the chances of a cure.
Robotic surgery brings hope to women with breast cancer “Robot-assisted functional breast preservation surgery” not only preserves their breasts but also provides them with functional sensations and breasts similar to their original ones. “This procedure provides remarkably natural looking outcomes while preserving full breast sensation,” Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, director of surgical
Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital (R) in Delhi, added to the list of common myths and facts that provide accurate information on cancer
डॉ. मनदीप सिंह मल्होत्रा फिट हिंदी से बात करते हुए बताते हैं कि बिना कैंसर वाले प्रोस्टेट का बढ़ना बेसिकली बिनाइन प्रोस्टेटिक हाइपरप्लासिया होता है. ये नॉन-कैंसर वाली कंडीशन होती है और ये बढ़ती उम्र से जुड़ा होता है.
Breast cancer has emerged as a significant health concern for women in India, with alarming increases in both incidence and mortality rates. Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital in Delhi, highlights that the statistics, ranging from 1.6 to 2,00,000 new cases annually, emphasize the urgent need to address this health crisis. Unfortunately, a substantial number of cases may go unregistered, further worsening the situation.
World Cancer Day हारना मना है: कैंसर के इलाज के बाद देखभाल और जीवनशैली में बदलाव
According to Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra (Clinical Lead and Chief Mentor, Art of Healing Cancer Surgical Oncologist Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) prevalence among cervical cancer patients in India has varied from 87.8 per cent to 96.67 per cent. HPV is key element and a primary reason for the development of cervical cancer. Therefore, preventing HPV infection can prevent the majority of cervical cancers. Of more than 100 HPV types, Type 16 and 18 have been categorized as high-risk types, while the rest are low-risk types for cervical cancer. HPV also causes vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile cancers and oropharyngeal (Throat) cancers as well as precancerous lesions of vulva/vagina, genital warts, and respiratory papillomatosis. HPV infections are most of the time asymptomatic, and generally, individuals are not aware of being infected, thus facilitating the spread easily and unknowingly. Most sexually active women get infected with HPV between the ages of 15 and 25 years. HPV is transmitted via sexual contact, through the genital skin and mucosa rather than in body fluids.
Questions related to cancer that need to know!
Year 2022-23
Factors such as urbanization, lifestyles, and limited awareness contribute to rising cases. At present there is a rise in patients presenting to us at early stages and those in advanced stages are experiencing good response after being treated with systemic therapy comprising of chemotherapy, immunotherapy/targeted therapy. These patients are candidates for more precise surgery in the form of Oncoplastic Breast Preservation Procedures rather than radical mastectomies. Robotic assistance adds further precision with improvement in aesthetics as well.
प्रारंभिक पता लगाने में चिकित्सा स्पर्श परीक्षण कैसे महत्व रखता है? सीके बिड़ला अस्पताल के सर्जिकल ऑन्कोलॉजी के निदेशक डॉ . मनदीप सिंह मल्होत्रा ने कहा कि स्तन कैंसर को पकड़ने का समाधान इसका शीघ्र निदान है जिसमें दृष्टिहीन महिलाओं की स्पर्श शक्ति बहुत मददगार होती है।
The symptoms of stomach cancer are relatively consistent across different age groups. These include abdominal pain, discomfort, persistent indigestion, difficulty in swallowing, unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and, in some cases, black, tarry stools (Melena), says Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
डॉ. मनदीप सिंह मलहोत्रा कहते हैं, "अक्सर यह देखा गया है कि अगर कोई महिला नियमित रूप से अपने ब्रेस्ट की जांच करती रहे, तो वह करीब 2 सेमी आकार की गांठ को खुद पकड़ सकती है यानी यह स्टेज 2 कैंसर होता है. वहीं अगर रूटीन क्लीनिकल ब्रेस्ट जांच करवाती रहें तो हेल्थकेयर वर्कर द्वारा 1 सेमी के आकार की गांठ का भी पता लगाने की संभावना बढ़ जाती है".
It is a fact, and it is also important to keep in mind, that most breast cancer cases involve women who don't have a strong family history of the condition. These are random cancers and are not linked to inherited genetic mutations. Regular breast cancer screenings, like mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self-examinations, are essential for all women, regardless of family history. Her family history might influence a small percentage of a woman's risk of breast cancer, says Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Year 2021-22
थायराइड से संबंधित बीमारियां आम हैं, लेकिन कभी-कभी ये कैंसर का रूप भी ले सकते हैं। पुरुषों की तुलना में महिलाओं में थायराइड कैंसर के मामले ज्यादा पाए जाते हैं। मुख्यतः थायराइड कैंसर चार प्रकार का होता है- पैपिलरी, फॉलिक्युलर, मेडुलरी और एनाप्लास्टिक। यह चार तरह के थायराइड कैंसर इस बात पर निर्भर होते हैं कि कैंसर की कोशिका किस तरह की दिखती हैं। थायराइड कैंसर, थायराइड ग्लैंड के अंदर विकसित होता है। थायराइड ग्लैंड दिखने में तितली की संरचना जैसी होती है। इस ग्लैंड से निकलने वाले हार्मोन शरीर के मेटाबॉलिज्म को कंट्रोल करते हैं।
Seeking a second opinion in cancer treatment is valuable because it allows patients to receive additional expertise and perspectives from different healthcare professionals. It can help confirm the initial diagnosis, explore alternative treatment options, ensure the appropriateness of the proposed treatment plan and additional information.
Some well known Indian female celebrities that have battled cancer and came out victorious are Manisha Koirala, Sonali Bendre, Lisa Ray, etc. The two most common cancer plaguing women in India are breast and ovarian cancer. A 2020 study in the Indian population showed that breast cancer contributed to 27.6% of all cancers while ovarian cancers contributed to 6.2% of all cancers in women.
Year 2020
A 2020 study in the Indian population showed that breast cancer contributed to 27.6% of all cancers while ovarian cancers contributed to 6.2% of all cancers in women. The study also shows that the incidents of death from breast cancer versus new cases identified has also increased to 56% which is much higher than the percentages from developed countries.
Faridabad resident Prabhjeet, an oral cancer survivor, lost the right half of his jaw bone seven years back. In all those years he lived on a liquid diet until 3D printing came to his rescue. Doctors at Fortis Hospital in the capital performed a first-of-its-kind jaw reconstruction surgery on Prabhjeet with a 3D-printed titanium jaw in January this year.
श्री प्रभात (नाम बदला हुआ), जो कि फरीदाबाद के निवासी हैं और कॉर्पोरेट एग्जीक्युटिव हैं, सात साल पहले कैंसर की वजह से अपने जबड़े की हड्डी के दायें आधे भाग को गंवा चुके थे। उन्हें कैंसर मुक्त करने के लिए डॉक्टरों को उनके टैंपोरोमैंडीब्यूलर (टीएम) ज्वाइंट के साथ ही इसे भी हटाना पड़ा था। टीएम ज्वाइंट ही जबड़े की मोबिलिटी को नियंत्रित करता है। पिछले वर्षों में, बाकी बचे रह गए मैंडिबल के सरकने की वजह से उनके जबड़े के निचले और ऊपरी भाग आपस में जुड़ नहीं पा रहे थे। इसके परिणामस्वरूप उनके जीवन की गुणवत्ता प्रभावित हो रही थी क्योंकि वे खाना चबाने में असमर्थ थे और सिर्फ दलिया या खिचड़ी जैसा पतला या नरम भोजन ही ले सकते थे। इसके अलावा, इसकी वजह से उनके गाल में बार-बार बाइट अल्सर भी रहने लगा था जो दर्द का कारण तो था ही, साथ ही कैंसर के दोबारा पनपने की आशंका भी बढ़ गई थी। मरीज़ को एसएलई (सिस्टेमेटिक ल्युपस एरिथेमेटॉसिस) के रूप में क्रोनिक रोग भी था।
