Staff Reporter –

Cancer is emerging as a public health concern with 1 out of 9 people at lifetime risk of developing cancer in India as per an ICMR study. Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer and Stomach Cancer Awareness month is observed in November every year. Suraksha Diagnostic Limited (“Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics”) hosted a special cancer awareness session with leading oncologists at its Helabattala Centre. The event witnessed the esteemed presence of Dr. Bibartan Saha, Renowned Radiologist at Suraksha Diagnostics Barasat , Dr Rajarshi Goswami, Oncologist at Suraksha Bangaon, Habra and Suraksha Barasat, Dr Ipsheet Mishra, Oncosurgeon at Suraksha Diagnostics – Ekbalpur, and Dr Kaustav Mandal, Radiation Oncologist at Suraksha Jadavpur.
The objective of the session was to spread more awareness and education surrounding the causes, early warning signs, timely intervention and treatment of cancer, as well as the steps to prevent cancer.
In the session, Dr. Bibartan Saha threw a light on the role of imaging in early diagnosis and its impact on community health, Dr. Rajarshi Goswami discussed about the early warning signs, awareness screening and early detection of cancer and its implications, Dr. Kaustav Mandal shared about the role of chemotherapy and radiography in management of common cancers such as head, neck, breast and cervical cancer.
As per a report in JAMA Network Open, Cancer is considered as a serious global health concern, and India ranks second in Asia and third in the world with regard to cancer incidence. The lifetime risk of developing cancer in India is around 11% as per data collected from 43 population-based cancer registries across India, spanning periods between January 1, 2015, to December 31st, 2019. The studies show that the most common cancer types were lung, oral, prostate in males and cervical, ovarian and breast cancer in females. In the year 2022, India witnessed an estimated 1.46 million new cancer cases, recording a crude incidence rate of 100.4 per 100,000 people, translating to around 1 in 9 people in India expected to develop cancer in their lifetime, as per a report. Late-stage detection is fueling the high disease burden and is a result of a lack of awareness and less perforation of screening programs. The report further states that deaths caused by cancer have been among the top five causes of death in India in the last decade. In the year 2020, the total number of deaths due to cancer was 8 to 9 lakh.
In a country like India, one of the primary causes of cancer is tobacco usage, which is responsible for around 40% of cancers, along with alcohol consumption, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, infections such as Hepatitis and HPV, pollution, exposure to environmental toxins,etc. The most common cancer types among women are breast cancer and oral cancer, as well as lung cancer in men.
It is recommended to have a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, reducing intake of processed foods, red meat, sugary drinks, doing regular exercise of atleast 30 minutes or even brisk walking, cycling, maintaining a healthy weight since obesity increases risk of cancer, quitting alcohol, tobacco usage, reducing exposure to pollution and getting vaccinated to combat cancer.
Cancer takes place when normal cells transform into tumour cells in a multi-stage process, progressing from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour, as per the WHO. In normal cases, cells grow and divide to make new cells and old or destroyed cells die to get replaced. Cancer occurs when there is a breakdown of this process, and cells which are old or damaged multiply and grow when they should not. These abnormal cells form a mass of tissue called a tumour. One of the key features of cancer is its ability to metastasise, or spread to distant organs through the lymph and blood systems, and is regarded as the primary cause of death from cancer.
In India, there is a growing incidence of cancer among those who are aged between 20 to 40 years. As per oncologists, air pollution is one of the main causes of cancer, even among those who have never smoked. For the young professionals in India, uncertain lifestyles coupled with chronic stress increase cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body, causing a disruption in DNA repair mechanisms and affecting the immune system, as per reports.
According to a study which was published in BMJ Oncology in 2023, there was an increase of around 79% in new cancer cases among people below 50 years of age in the last three decades. The number increased from around 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in the year 2019, with deaths increasing by around 30%, and breast cancer accounting for the largest number of early-onset cases and prostate and windpipe cancer showing the fastest growth. Among the younger patients, the most common cancer types were windpipe, breast, bowel, lung and stomach cancer.
A July 2025 Study by Mayo Clinic Proceedings showed an increase in gastrointestinal cancers in people below 50 years, indicating growing incidences of cancers among the younger generation, and highlighting the fact that cancer is no longer prevalent among the older section of the population only. As per ICMR, around 15.7 lakh new cancer cases are projected in 2025, with the probability of increasing to nearly 22.1 lakh by the year 2040. Data from national registries also suggest that every year, there are around 50,000 to 75,000 new cases of cancer among children, with Chennai witnessing nearly 136 cases per million children and survival at 60%. Leukaemia tops the list, followed by lymphomas, brain and bone cancers, according to reports.
Cancer also depends on one’s genetic makeup, with nearly 5% to 10% of all cancers being the result of inheriting a gene mutation, which is known as hereditary cancer. These inherited mutations increase the risk of cancer; however, most of the cancers are a result of genetic changes that happen during the lifetime of a person because of environmental and lifestyle factors.
Experts suggest that regular health checkups, lifestyle modifications, managing stesss and pollution levels, more awareness surrounding cancer can help to mitigate the chances of it.
Speaking at the Cancer awareness session organised by Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics, Dr Rajarshi Goswami, Oncologist at Suraksha Bangaon, Habra and Suraksha Barasat, said: “Awareness and screening are the bedrock of cancer control beyond high-tech imaging, which will decide if cancer is detected at stage 1 rather than stage IV. When people learn to detect the early warning signs of cancer and take proactive steps, we transition from treating late-stage disease to preventing suffering altogether. Awareness is not only about education, it is also about empowerment. Investing in cancer awareness and screening is not just a healthcare priority, it’s an economic one. Early diagnosis significantly reduces treatment costs, leads to improvement in productivity and saves families from financial ruin. Suraksha is providing full time Oncology speciality and superspeciality OPD consultation by an experienced team who are providing expert multidisciplinary consultation in all centres of Suraksha.”
He further added: “Beside Oncology clinic, Suraksha has brought whole exome sequencing, next generation sequencing, hereditary cancer panel, Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for proper Oncology diagnosis for correct management.”
“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be. Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. Cancer is a word, not a sentence. When you go through deep waters, Suraksha Diagnostic will be with you” said Dr. Bibartan Saha, Renowned Radiologist at Suraksha Diagnostics Barasat.
Sharing his thoughts on the same, Dr. Somnath Chatterjee, Chairman & Joint Managing Director at Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics, said: “Through awareness, early detection and timely intervention, communities can successfully overcome cancer. At Suraksha, we aim to empower individuals to take proactive steps towards their health with enough knowledge, screening programmes and resources. Awareness is the first step towards saving a life.”
By bringing together expert voices in the Cancer awareness session, Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics intends to empower individuals with the right knowledge, awareness and steps to effectively manage their health. Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics strives to move beyond just providing diagnostic services to help in building a better informed and healthier society, where with the knowledge of early detection, preventive healthcare and timely intervention as well as treatment, a number of lives can be saved.
About Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics
Established in 1992, Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics has grown into a prominent diagnostics provider, offering a comprehensive range of over 2,300 tests across pathology, radiology, and medical consultancy services. The company operates a central reference laboratory, eight satellite laboratories, 59 diagnostic centres, and 166 sample collection centres across West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Meghalaya. Suraksha’s commitment to technological advancement is evident in its adoption of AI-enabled smart labs and digital platforms, streamlining operations and enhancing patient care.

Showcasing its diagnostic excellence, Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics remains steadfastly dedicated to facilitating early detection of cancer for improved patient outcomes. Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics offers AI-powered advanced radiology services such as X Ray, MRI scan, CT scan, USG, DEXA scan, Mammography, and OPG using state-of-the art equipment and its reference laboratories and centres are accredited by recognised bodies such as CAP and NABL, indicating adherence to high standards in the industry.