A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research found that cancer cases and deaths are likely to surge between 2022 and 2045 in India. ICMR conducted the study on BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) wherein they observed the cancer cases, deaths and quality of life.

The researchers found that India and South Africa showed similar tendency for the rise in cancer cases. The research team of Anita Nath, Ruchita Taneja, Yamini Saraswathi Thadi, Gokul Sarveswaran and Prashant Mathur found that a “12.8% increase in cancer incidence in India in 2025 compared to 2020 and that cancer incidence is continuing to stand up.”

The study also found that there will be a surge in cancer cases, especially in oral and breast cancer. Men are most likely to be diagnosed with lip and mouth cancer while women with breast cancer.

The study also found that the highest cancer death rates for both men and women are recorded in South Africa. However, Russia has the highest number of cancer-related deaths among women and South Africa has the highest number of deaths due to cancer among women.

Considering all BRICS countries except India, lung cancer is the top cause of cancer-related deaths. In India, breast cancer is the major cause of the highest number of cancer-related deaths.

According to a report in Business Standard, the impact of cancers, especially in terms of life years lost, was mostly due to lung-related cancers, such as cancers of the trachea and bronchus, across the countries. India is an exception here too, where breast cancer had the biggest impact.

The researchers said socioeconomic factors explain this phenomenon. They said, “A prior review indicated that BRICS countries accounted for 33.6% of new breast cancer cases worldwide and 36.9% of global breast cancer deaths. Additionally, these countries experienced a significant upward trend in breast cancer incidence.

“Although the BRICS countries anticipate sustained economic growth and have viable cancer control plans, it is essential to investigate cancer risk factors and health systems influencing cancer incidence and outcomes.”

The study also highlighted the significant economic burden cancer places on BRICS countries, according to a report in CNBC TV-18. According to a separate analysis published in Cancer Epidemiology, BRICS nations are responsible for 42% of global cancer-related deaths. China bore the highest total productivity loss, estimated at $28 billion, while South Africa faced the highest cost per cancer death at $101,000.

With India and South Africa expected to see the largest increase in new cancer cases by the next two decades, researchers urge governments and health authorities to reduce risk factors and improve healthcare systems.

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