Key Reasons for High Cancer Rate in Kerala

Posted on: Dec 24, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Key Reasons for High Cancer Rate in Kerala

When the state of Kerala is mentioned, we immediately start picturing the beautiful beaches and mangrove forests of the state known as ‘God’s Own Country.’ What we don’t know is that there is a critical illness prowling. The recently released State Economic Review — 2024 showed that cancer mortality is extremely high among males in Kerala compared to the national average. But why would a state with a high literacy rate have a tough time dealing with a disease that is non-communicable in nature? It turns out that while the government is making efforts to contain it, there are other reasons that need individuals to step up. Let’s take a closer look.

How many Cancer patients are there in Kerala?

Over the years, there has been a significant rise in cancer cases in Kerala. In fact, Kerala has the highest crude cancer incidence cases in India. In 2022, the state recorded 59,143 cases, which was 57,155 in 2020. Cancer-related deaths in 2020 were 31,166, and this increased to 32,271 in 2022. The Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram, one of the top cancer care centres in the country, saw a 36% jump in 3 years – the number of cancer patients rose from 1,191 in 2020-21 to 15,324 in 2022-23.

In women, breast cancer is most common, accounting for 30%-35% of cases. Ovarian and thyroid cancer in women is also on the rise.

Why is the Cancer rate high in Kerala?

Some primary reasons why cancer rate in Kerala is high include –

1. Lifestyle habits

Sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diets rich in fatty and processed foods, stress, etc., all contribute to increased cancer cases in Kerala. These factors lead to obesity, which is a risk factor for cancers like kidney, lung, and breast cancer. According to the National Family Health Survey, 2019-2020, Kerala has the highest obesity rate – around 38.1% of women aged 15-49 were found to be obese, and it was 36.4% among men.

2. High consumption of tobacco and alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco in the state has been linked to an increase in cancers like lung, oral, and liver cancer. The consumption rate of alcohol in Kerala is 12.4%, even though the state has been taking measures to control high consumption. As per the National Family Health Survey, 2019-2020, 16.9% of men in Kerala were found to be addicted to tobacco.

3. Unemployment

According to reports by the International Labour Organisation, around 31.8% of educated men in Kerala are unemployed, leading to stress and anxiety. High levels of stress and anxiety can contribute to cancer risk.

4. Ageing population

With age, the risk of cancer increases and Kerala, having the highest life expectancy in India, has witnessed a steady rise in the incidence of cancer in the state. A significant percentage of the population of Kerala is aged 60 and above.

5. Unhealthy eating

According to health experts, Keralites are at a high risk of major health issues, including cancer, because of their food habits. Their dietary pattern includes high consumption of red meat, beef, and lamb, which are high-risk factors for cancer. These food items contain N-glycolylneuraminic acid, which can make you vulnerable to cancer, according to studies.

Conclusion

Being diagnosed with cancer can be traumatic. Simple lifestyle modifications like consuming a healthy diet, staying physically active, avoiding or reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, etc., can improve overall health and reduce the risk of critical ailments like cancer. If cancer runs in the family, it is wise to buy critical illness insurance even if you have a regular health insurance policy or family health insurance.

FAQs

1. Why does Kerala have more cancer cases?

There are many reasons why the cancer rate is high in Kerala, like unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco, stress, anxiety, etc.

2. Does health insurance cover cancer?

Yes, health insurance covers cancer treatments, but the standard healthcare plans may not provide adequate coverage. Critical illness insurance is the ideal option for critical ailments like cancer, stroke, kidney failure, etc., as it comes with a high sum insured.

3. Can I use the lump sum compensation offered by critical illness insurance for other expenses?

Yes, unlike the standard health insurance policy, the compensation under critical illness plans can be utilised for medical and non-medical purposes. You can use the amount to compensate for lost income, day-to-day expenses, children’s education, and also for paying off debts.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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