In India, the number of new cases of cancer and other critical illnesses is steadily increasing. In 2018, the Indian Council of Medical Research's National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) released the India-specific data from Globocan (Global Cancer Observatory).
It was reported that cancer cases in the country have gone up by 15.7 percent since 2012, with a total of 11.57 lakh cancer cases reported in the year.
Globocan reported that there had been a 12.2 percent increase in the total number of cancer-related deaths since 2012, with approximately 7,84,821 people dying from the health condition in 2018.
Moreover, data presented by the Registrar General of India*, WHO (World Health Organisation), and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) shows that cardiovascular diseases (also known as CVD or heart-related health problems) are one of the primary causes of disability and death in the country.
Between 2007 and 2017, while the increase in deaths (across all ages) due to CVD had been 49.8 percent, the increase in mortality rate due to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD), stroke and diabetes have been 39.4 percent, 37.1 percent, and 53.8 percent respectively.
Nearly 50% of heart attacks in Indian men occur before age 50, as reported by the Indian Heart Association, while men under 40 report 25% of all cases of heart attacks. Also, the male population in the country, between 30 to 74, is at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than the female population. While Indian women had a 12.7 percent risk of developing cardiovascular issues, approximately 21.4 percent of the males were at risk.
Overall, the working population in India, between the ages of 30 to 74, is more prone to developing cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Other ailments, such as kidney failure, sclerosis, stroke, or paralysis, present a palpable risk to Indians, thus pressing the need for critical illness cover.
We would like to hear from you
Let us know about your experience or any feedback that might help us serve you better in future.
Do you have any thoughts you’d like to share?