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Rachel V Thomas

What Is Driving India's High Burden Of Childhood Cancers?

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health–Southeast Asia has found that <span>India</span> accounts for 68% of all childhood cancer cases in the SAARC region.

While the country's large child population contributes to the high numbers, experts say underdiagnosis and incomplete cancer registration may mean the actual burden is even greater.

An international team of researchers, including from the US, India,  and Canada, estimated that nearly 37,700 children aged up to 14 years were diagnosed with cancer across South Asia in 2022, with 17,700 deaths reported. India alone accounted for an estimated 25,939 cases and 12,028 deaths.

The researchers noted that because cancer registration remains incomplete, particularly in rural areas, the true number of childhood cancer cases in India could exceed 50,000 annually.

<h2>India's Large Child Population Drives Numbers</h2>

India is home to more than 380 million children, accounting for nearly 69% of the child population in the SAARC region. This naturally contributes to the country's higher share of childhood cancer cases and deaths.

However, experts emphasize that population size is only part of the explanation. Delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialized treatment, and gaps in cancer registration continue to affect both disease estimates and patient outcomes.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Leukemia</span> Most Common Cancer</h2>

Dr. Narendra Agrawal, a leading Hematologist and <span>Bone Marrow Transplant Physician</span> and Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Haemato-Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute &amp; Research Centre, told <strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>that childhood cancer remains a major public health concern in India.

"Current estimates suggest that around 70,000–80,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year, although the exact number remains uncertain due to expanding cancer registration systems". The most common <span>childhood cancers</span> in India include:

<ul><li>Leukemia</li><li>Lymphomas</li><li><span rel="noindex">Brain tumors</span></li><li>Bone tumors</li></ul>

Unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers do not have a clearly identifiable or preventable cause. Dr. Agrawal explained that, in most children, cancer develops because of genetic changes that occur during early development. These changes are usually not linked to lifestyle factors or inherited from parents.

Although the causes of most childhood cancers remain unclear, some well-established risk factors include:

<ul><li>Ionizing radiation: High-dose exposure before birth or during childhood increases the risk of leukemia and certain other cancers.</li><li>Genetic syndromes: Conditions such as Down syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and neurofibromatosis increase susceptibility to specific childhood cancers.</li><li>Certain infections: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is associated with some lymphomas, HIV increases lymphoma risk, and chronic hepatitis B infection raises the risk of liver cancer.</li><li>Environmental and parental exposures: Tobacco smoke, certain chemicals, pesticides, and some occupational exposures have been investigated as possible risk factors, although evidence remains inconclusive.</li></ul>

<h2>Challenges Beyond Disease Burden</h2>

Dr. Agrawal said India's substantial childhood cancer burden is largely driven by its population size. However, improving outcomes requires addressing several systemic challenges.

<ul><li>Delayed diagnosis</li><li>Limited access to specialized pediatric oncology services in some regions</li><li>Treatment abandonment</li><li>Incomplete cancer registration</li></ul>According to the expert, overcoming these barriers is essential to ensuring earlier diagnosis, better treatment access, and more accurate estimates of childhood cancer across the country.

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A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health–Southeast Asia has found that India accounts for 68% of all childhood cancer cases in the SAARC region. While the country's large child population contributes to the high numbers, experts say underdiagnosis and incomplete cancer registration may mean the actual burden is even greater.An international team of researchers, including from the US, India,  and Canada, estimated that nearly 37,700 children aged up to 14 years were diagnosed with cancer across South Asia in 2022, with 17,700 deaths reported. India alone accounted for an estimated 25,939 cases and 12,028 deaths.The researchers noted that because cancer registration remains incomplete, particularly in rural areas, the true number of childhood cancer cases in India could exceed 50,000 annually.India's Large Child Population Drives NumbersIndia is home to more than 380 million children, accounting for nearly 69% of the child population in the SAARC region. This naturally contributes to the country's higher share of childhood cancer cases and deaths.However, experts emphasize that population size is only part of the explanation. Delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialized treatment, and gaps in cancer registration continue to affect both disease estimates and patient outcomes.Leukemia Most Common CancerDr. Narendra Agrawal, a leading Hematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician and Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Haemato-Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, told HealthandMe that childhood cancer remains a major public health concern in India."Current estimates suggest that around 70,000–80,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year, although the exact number remains uncertain due to expanding cancer registration systems". The most common childhood cancers in India include:LeukemiaLymphomasBrain tumorsBone tumorsWhat Causes Childhood Cancer?Unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers do not have a clearly identifiable or preventable cause. Dr. Agrawal explained that, in most children, cancer develops because of genetic changes that occur during early development. These changes are usually not linked to lifestyle factors or inherited from parents.Recognized Risk FactorsAlthough the causes of most childhood cancers remain unclear, some well-established risk factors include:Ionizing radiation: High-dose exposure before birth or during childhood increases the risk of leukemia and certain other cancers.Genetic syndromes: Conditions such as Down syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and neurofibromatosis increase susceptibility to specific childhood cancers.Certain infections: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is associated with some lymphomas, HIV increases lymphoma risk, and chronic hepatitis B infection raises the risk of liver cancer.Environmental and parental exposures: Tobacco smoke, certain chemicals, pesticides, and some occupational exposures have been investigated as possible risk factors, although evidence remains inconclusive.Challenges Beyond Disease BurdenDr. Agrawal said India's substantial childhood cancer burden is largely driven by its population size. However, improving outcomes requires addressing several systemic challenges.Key issues include:Delayed diagnosisLimited access to specialized pediatric oncology services in some regionsTreatment abandonmentIncomplete cancer registrationAccording to the expert, overcoming these barriers is essential to ensuring earlier diagnosis, better treatment access, and more accurate estimates of childhood cancer across the country.

what is driving india's high burden of childhood cancers?

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