India News : Delhi’s worsening air pollution is emerging as a grave threat to public health, with cancer cases rising at an alarming rate among young people, according to the latest data released by the Delhi government. The figures reveal a disturbing shift—cancer is no longer confined to the elderly but is increasingly affecting the working-age population and even children.
One in Three Cancer Deaths Below 44 Years
Over the past two decades, nearly one in every three cancer deaths in Delhi involved people under the age of 44. Official data show that around 1.1 lakh people died of cancer in the last 20 years.
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In 2005, Delhi recorded about 2,000 cancer deaths
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By 2024, the number surged to nearly 7,400
Notably, the cancer mortality rate (7%) in Delhi is three times higher than the population growth rate, underscoring a deepening public health crisis.
Children and Youth Increasingly Affected
The most shocking trend is the growing impact on children and young adults:
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8% of total cancer deaths were children
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7,298 child deaths over 20 years
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5,415 deaths in the 15–24 age group
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The 45–64 age group remains the most affected, accounting for 41% of deaths
Gender-wise, men show a higher cancer mortality rate than women.
Hospitals Under Heavy Strain
About 93,000 cancer deaths were recorded in hospitals, indicating near-total dependence on institutional care. While private hospitals are prohibitively expensive, government hospitals face severe overcrowding, often delaying critical treatments.
AIIMS Doctor Flags Key Causes
According to AIIMS Delhi oncologist Dr Abhishek Shankar, two factors are driving the surge:
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Toxic air pollution—linked not only to lung cancer but also to higher breast cancer risk.
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Delayed treatment—patients frequently miss timely chemotherapy or radiation due to cost and capacity constraints.
Cancer Becoming More Aggressive in Youth
Doctors warn that cancers in younger patients are not only increasing but are also more aggressive, spreading faster and complicating treatment outcomes.
Health experts stress that without urgent action on air quality, healthcare capacity, and early screening, Delhi could face an even more severe cancer burden in the coming years.
