NEW DELHI, September 3,2025: Northeast India now faces the country’s highest cancer burden, according to a recent cross-sectional study based on data from 43 population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) spanning 2015-2019. The study analyzed more than 708,000 cancer cases and 206,000 deaths nationwide, highlighting the region as a prominent hotspot for new cancer diagnoses.
Researchers identified Aizawl (Mizoram), East Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), Papumpare (Arunachal Pradesh), and Kamrup Urban (Assam) as districts with the highest age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) for both men and women. In Mizoram, the lifetime risk of developing cancer is nearly double the national average of 11%, registering at 21.1% for males and 18.9% for females - the highest reported figures in the country.
Women accounted for 51.1% of cancer cases nationally, but men comprised 55% of cancer deaths. Among men, oral, lung, and prostate cancers were most prevalent, while breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers dominated among women.
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Northeast India demonstrates a unique cancer profile, with higher rates of esophagus, stomach, and lung cancers. The report attributes these trends largely to the widespread use of tobacco and alcohol in the region, stressing the importance of targeted public health campaigns and early detection programs.
The study concludes that bridging regional disparities and socioeconomic gaps is vital for building equitable and accessible cancer care nationwide. It calls for improved infrastructure, stronger outreach, and comprehensive support services to tackle the rising cancer burden in the Northeast.
