Why Mizoram state has the highest rate of cancer in India?

Mizoram, despite being the second least populated state in India, has the highest incidence rate of cancer in the country, according to an 18-year trend study. The research reveals a consistent increase in cancer incidence and mortality in the state, with stomach cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, and lung cancer playing a parallel role among women.

The study suggests that the rising trend of cancer in Mizoram, especially among the younger generation, may be linked to static lifestyle and dietary patterns prevalent in the endogamous tribal population. This could potentially contribute to a genetic predisposition to cancer. The research, titled "Cancer awareness, diagnosis, and treatment needs in Mizoram, India: evidence from 18 years trends (2003–2020)," was recently published in The Lancet Regional Health — Southeast Asia.

The escalation in mortality rates in Mizoram is attributed to several factors, including a lack of specialized diagnostic facilities and skilled human resources, treatment strategies guided by genomic research, and transportation challenges.

The study reveals that among men in Mizoram, stomach cancer is the most prevalent, followed by head and neck, lung, esophagus, colorectal, liver, urinary, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and prostate cancers. For women, lung cancer is the most prevalent, followed by cervical, breast, stomach, head and neck, colorectal, esophagus, liver, and ovarian cancers.

The World Health Organization notes that cancer is a significant group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth that can invade surrounding tissues or spread to other organs. It is the second leading cause of death globally.

Another paper estimates that one in nine people in India is likely to develop cancer in their lifetimes. The leading cancer sites are lung and breast cancers in males and females, respectively. The incidence of cancer cases in India is projected to increase by 12.8% in 2025 compared to 2020, according to the paper titled "Cancer incidence estimates for 2022 & projection for 2025: Result from National Cancer Registry Programme," published last year.