The cancer scenario in India has proved to be a dynamic guide for the planning and implementation of the Foundation's activities.

Over the years, there has been an increase in cancer incidence the world over. This is due to an increase in population size, a dramatic increase in life expectancy as a result of improved control of many communicable diseases. In addition, tobacco consumption, newer infections, environmental degradation, diet and malnutrition all contribute as major factors for the increased cancer incidence.

Availability of better diagnostic facilities has also resulted in improved detection.

In India, cancer has become one of the 10 leading causes of death. It is estimated that there are nearly 2 to 2.5 million cancer cases at any given point in time, with nearly 1 500 000 patients requiring facilities for diagnosis, treatment and follow up.

Tobacco related cancers account for almost a third of cancers diagnosed in head and neck, lung and oesophagus in the Indian population. The two most common cancers of women, cancer of the cervix and breast, account for half the cancer burden in Indian women.

In the year 2000, nearly 800 000 new cases were diagnosed and there were 550 000 deaths due to cancer. A majority of the new patients come for treatment when their cancer is in the advanced stage and the cure rates are much lower.

A combination of factors is responsible for a majority coming for medical assistance with advanced cancer:

• Inadequate awareness of the early signs of cancer
• Lack of awareness of cancer prevention strategies
• Fear associated with cancer and sometimes even when a person is aware that something is wrong s/he avoids seeking qualified medical assistance
• Patients lack the wherewithal to travel to a centre that offers early detection and appropriate treatment facilities
• The grass root level medical personnel are normally not trained to detect cancer, especially in the early stages

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