Mon Feb 03 18:36:18 UTC 2025: **Karnataka Sees Surge in Cancer Cases, Underscoring Need for Early Detection**

Bengaluru, February 4, 2025 – Karnataka is facing a significant rise in cancer cases, mirroring a national trend. According to data released by the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology and the Population Based Cancer Registry (PCBR), approximately 87,850 new cancer cases were reported in Karnataka in 2024, representing a substantial portion of the estimated 14 lakh new cases nationwide.

The Kidwai Institute alone registered over 21,000 new cases in 2024, in addition to handling nearly 3.9 lakh follow-up appointments. In Bengaluru specifically, an estimated 15,603 new cases were registered, with breast cancer being the most prevalent among women (31.5%) and lung cancer the most common among men (9.7%).

To coincide with World Cancer Day, themed “United by Unique,” the Kidwai Institute organized an awareness march to highlight the importance of early detection, prevention, and treatment. Officials emphasized that early diagnosis and optimal treatment can lead to a 70% cure rate, but lamented that over 50% of patients arrive at treatment centers in advanced stages, significantly reducing survival chances.

The rise in cancer incidence is attributed to various lifestyle factors, including the adoption of Western lifestyles, tobacco use (responsible for over one-third of all cancers), alcohol consumption, late marriage, lack of exercise, poor hygiene, stress, consumption of junk food and processed foods, and prolonged use of hormone tablets. The institute stressed that avoiding tobacco products significantly reduces the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach, while reducing alcohol intake and adopting a healthier lifestyle are crucial preventative measures.

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