Strategies for cancer prevention in India-Catching the 'low hanging fruits'

Abstract

Cancer is a growing problem in India, with over 1 million new cases estimated in 2012 alone. In November 2013, organizers of the Indian Cancer Congress (a joint meeting of four of the largest oncology associations in India) invited a panel with mixed expertise including epidemiology, surgical oncology, health economics, environmental science, and health systems to conduct a round table meeting on strategies for cancer prevention in India, with a special focus on non-tobacco risk factors. We present a summary of the group recommendations here. While tobacco use remains the most important preventable cause of cancer, a substantial number of preventable cancers can be attributed to non-tobacco ..