THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) projects that by 2030, every year cancer will affect 45,813 women and 43,930 men in Kerala. This forecast, shared at the Kerala Cancer Conclave organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), reflects growing concerns among medical experts regarding the increasing cancer burden in the state.

In 2024, 43,110 men and 45,008 women were diagnosed with cancer, making the projected rise seem relatively modest. However, Dr. Prashant Mathur, Director of ICMR-NCDIR, which oversees the country’s cancer registries, emphasised that the growth in Kerala, which is already burdened with a cancer incidence more than double the national average, is alarming.

“The incidence of cancer in Kerala is above the national average for both men and women, highlighting the urgent need for stronger preventive measures,” he said. On a positive note, Dr. Mathur acknowledged that Kerala’s cancer survival rates are comparatively favorable.

Dr. Suresh H. Advani, considered the father of cancer treatment in India, noted a concerning increase in breast and thyroid cancer among women in Kerala in recent years. “Thyroid cancer is so prevalent that even in smaller cities, there are 3-4 surgeries every week,” he remarked.

Dr. Narayanankutty Warrier, Medical Director of the MVR Cancer Centre and Research Institute, pointed to a 300% increase in breast cancer cases over the last 25 years. He noted that the high prevalence of diabetes in the population is a major driver of lifestyle-related diseases.