Beyond Lifestyle: How Infections Drive Cancer Cases in India
When discussing cancer, tobacco, alcohol, poor diet, and pollution are traditionally blamed. However, a major report by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO-IARC) highlights that hidden viral and bacterial infections also play a massive role in triggering cancer.
According to the study, approximately 1.9 million new cancer cases in India in 2024 were linked to various infections, accounting for over 12% of the country's total 15.62 million new cancer diagnoses that year. Globally, nearly 2.3 million cancer cases were similarly connected to infectious agents.
Infection Does Not Automatically Mean Cancer
Health experts clarify that being infected does not mean an individual will instantly develop cancer. The term 'infection-linked' refers to cases where specific pathogens have a scientifically established role in promoting the disease over a long period. Persistent infections cause chronic inflammation and cellular damage, gradually elevating cancer risks for some individuals.
HPV Emerges as the Leading Threat in India
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) emerged as the largest infection-related cancer factor in India, linked to over 100,000 cases, primarily cervical cancer and certain head and neck cancers. Experts emphasize that HPV-related risks can be effectively mitigated through timely vaccination and regular medical screenings.
Bacterial and Viral Threats: H. pylori and Hepatitis
The study also highlighted Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria linked to around 47,000 stomach cancer cases in India. Meanwhile, chronic Hepatitis B and C infections accounted for approximately 10,000 and 5,300 liver cancer-related cases respectively, emphasizing the urgent need for widespread vaccination, early screening, and proactive public health measures.
