Incidence of cancer cases is higher in females than in males in the Capital in the age group of 35-64 years, while in children (0-14 years) and older individuals (above 64 years of age) more cases are reported among men than women.
Data on cancer
The findings comes from a report by the Delhi Cancer Registry (DCR), which collects morbidity and mortality figures on cancer patients from 169 government hospitals, over 250 private hospitals and nursing homes, and the Department of Vital Statistics of the Delhi municipal corporations, the New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board.
The report by the registry takes a look at the age and gender-wise rates of cancer among residents of the Capital.
In males, the DCR report revealed that lymphoid leukemia — cancer of the blood and bone marrow — was the predominant type of cancer found in the paediatric age group (0-18 years). In the 20-24 year age group, bone cancer had the highest incidence, whereas in the age group of 25-29, the brain and the nervous system had the highest incidence of the disease. In the 30-49 year age group, cancer of the mouth was predominant, whereas in the 50-69 year age group, lung cancer was the most common. Above the age of 70, cancer of the prostrate had the highest incidence.
In females, lymphoid leukemia was again the predominant type of cancer found in the paediatric age group (0-18 years), and bone cancer was the most common in women 20-24 years of age.
In the 25-29 year age group, ovarian cancer had the highest incidence. Breast cancer was predominant in the rest of the age groups.
Tobacco-related cancers
Tobacco, which is a known cause of cancer, was seen as a major contributing factor in 41.3% of all cancer cases reported in males and 11.5% in females. Among tobacco-related cancers in males, lung cancer was the common (25.4%), followed by cancer of the mouth (6.8%) and tongue (1.7%).
In females, lung cancer was the most common (25.9%), followed by cancer of the oesophagus (19.5%) and mouth (18.7%).
