Pollution becomes ‘silent killer’: Three major cancers increased rapidly in Delhi, shocking figures of Health Ministry
Amidst the pollution crisis in Delhi, the latest report of the Health Ministry is a matter of concern. In a written reply to Parliament, the Union Health Ministry shared the figures for the period between 2023 and 2025. According to the report, the capital has recorded the fastest increase of 5.1% year-on-year in cases of oral cancer. At the same time, there has also been an increase of 4.9% in lung cancer cases.
The latest figures on cancer cases in New Delhi present a worrying picture. According to data shared by the Union Health Ministry: The largest increase in lung cancer cases has been recorded in women. This figure will reach 604 in 2023, 644 in 2024, and 686 in 2025, i.e. an annual increase of 6.5%.
The fastest increase in oral cancer cases was seen in men. This number is projected to reach 2,429 in 2023, 2,569 in 2024, and 2,717 in 2025, an increase of about 5.8%.
Breast cancer – the most common cancer still the same
Numerically, breast cancer is still the most common cancer in Delhi. Projections from the National Cancer Registry Program suggest that 3,198 cases will be reported in 2023, 3,260 in 2024 and 3,321 in 2025.
Oral Cancer – Second most common cancer in Delhi
Oral cancer has now become the second most common cancer overall in Delhi. Including cases recorded in men and women, this number will increase to 3,208 in 2025. If we look at the figures, it has increased continuously in the last three years – 2023: Total 2,901 cases, Male: 2,429, Female: 472
2024: Total 3,051 cases, males: 2,569, females: 482
2025: Total 3,208 cases, males: 2,717, females: 491
However, cervical cancer has shown a different trend amid the increasing cancer cases in Delhi. A slight decline has been recorded in its cases among women. 741 cases in 2023, 716 cases in 2024, 692 cases in 2025
This decline represents a year-on-year decline of approximately 3.4% in both years. In contrast, there is a clear trend of increase in cancer cases among men. The highest increase was recorded in oral cancer, while lung cancer also increased rapidly, from 1,668 cases in 2023 to 1,814 in 2025. Similarly, prostate cancer cases also witnessed a steady rise from 1,168 in 2023 to 1,301 in 2025.
The Health Ministry also pointed out the relatively high age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) of cancer in the capital. Between 2015 and 2019, Delhi recorded an AAIR of 146.7 per lakh population for males and 132.5 for females. This rate was higher than major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad. AAIR standardizes cancer incidence counts across populations of different age groups, making comparative analyzes between different regions more accurate and meaningful.
It is also important that Delhi has large tertiary health institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre. Due to these facilities, the capital becomes a major treatment center not only for its patients but also for cancer patients coming from North India and other parts of the country. As a result, both the burden of cancer treatment and the number of patients increase in Delhi, which is believed to be an important factor influencing the high incidence rate recorded here.
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