Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in India, while lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to the latest GLOBOCAN estimates of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO).The report highlights that India's cancer burden is shaped by region-specific risk factors, with breast, oral, cervical, lung and esophageal cancers together accounting for nearly half of all cancer cases and deaths in the country.It also estimates that nearly one in 10 Indians is at risk of developing cancer before the age of 75, while around seven in every 100 people face the risk of dying from the disease before reaching that age.Breast Cancer Tops New DiagnosesAlso read: Shigella Driving Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Diarrhea Among Gay Men in UK, Lancet Study FindsFemale breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in India, accounting for 192,020 new cases in 2022.The five most common cancers in India are:Breast cancer: 192,020 casesLip and oral cavity cancer: 143,759 casesCervical cancer: 127,526 casesLung cancer: 81,748 casesEsophageal cancer: 70,637 casesAmong women, breast cancer accounts for more than one in four new cancer diagnoses, while cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer despite being largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening.Among men, cancers of the lip and oral cavity remain the leading diagnosis, reflecting the continuing impact of tobacco use.Lung Cancer Is the DeadliestRead More: Bryan Johnson's Autoimmune Gastritis: US Doctor Explains the Hidden Signs of Autoimmune DiseaseAlthough breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer, lung cancer causes the highest number of cancer deaths in India, highlighting its poor survival rates and the importance of early diagnosis and tobacco control.Lip and oral cavity cancer ranks as the second most common cancer by incidence and the third leading cause of cancer deaths, giving India one of the world's highest oral cancer burdens.India's Cancer Burden Continues to RiseAccording to the WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026:India recorded an estimated 1.6 million new cancer cases in 2024.Around 900,000 cancer deaths occurred during the year.Annual new cancer cases are projected to rise to 2.8 million by 2050, driven by population growth, ageing and changing lifestyles.WHO: India Needs Stronger Prevention and Early Detection The report says India's cancer profile reflects unique regional risk factors, particularly the country's high burden of oral cancers."India's cancer burden reflects the influence of region-specific risk factors, particularly the high prevalence of oral cancers, highlighting the need for stronger prevention, early diagnosis and improved access to treatment," the report said.The WHO says health systems must move beyond treating tumors alone and adopt a more people-centred approach to cancer care.Nearly 40% of Cancer Cases Are PreventableThe report estimates that almost four in 10 cancer cases worldwide are linked to preventable risk factors, including:Tobacco useAlcohol consumptionOverweight and obesityPhysical inactivityHuman papillomavirus (HPV)Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infectionsHelicobacter pylori infection.