When Lifestyle Becomes the Disease

World Cancer Day, observed on February 4, is meant to unite the world against a common enemy. Yet in India, it increasingly exposes an uncomfortable truth: cancer is no longer driven only by genetics or fate, but by the choices societies normalise and governments fail to regulate. The 2026 theme, “United by Unique,” rightly emphasises people-centred care, but unity must extend beyond hospitals to the way we live, eat, work, and plan our cities.
India’s cancer burden is rising at an alarming pace. With over 1.3 million new cases reported in 2020, and far higher numbers projected in the coming decade, the worrying shift is not just in scale but in nature. Lifestyle-related cancers—breast, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic and endometrial—are increasing rapidly, often striking people at younger ages. This signals a deeper public health failure.
Physical inactivity and obesity are central drivers. India today presents a grim paradox: undernutrition and obesity coexisting in the same communities. Excess body fat fuels inflammation, hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance, creating fertile ground for cancer. Yet urban planning, work cultures and school systems continue to discourage physical activity, while unhealthy food remains cheap, accessible and aggressively marketed.
Dietary transitions have compounded the crisis. Traditional diets rich in fibre, vegetables and seasonal foods have been replaced by processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugary beverages and trans-fats. Alcohol consumption, especially among younger adults, is rising, while tobacco—despite decades of warnings—continues to claim lives. Combined use of alcohol and tobacco multiplies cancer risk, yet regulation remains weak and enforcement selective.
Women’s changing life patterns also reveal how social shifts intersect with health. Delayed childbirth, fewer pregnancies and shorter breastfeeding durations—often shaped by urban pressures and lack of supportive policies—are linked to higher risks of breast and colorectal cancers. Meanwhile, emerging threats such as air pollution, chronic stress, disrupted sleep and hormone-disrupting chemicals in plastics and cosmetics remain under-researched and under-regulated.
The tragedy is that 30–40% of cancers are preventable. Prevention does not lie in slogans but in sustained action: healthier urban design, stricter food and alcohol regulation, stronger tobacco control, accessible screening, and public awareness that goes beyond token campaigns.