Exclusive: Why More Indians in Their 20s And 30s Are Being Diagnosed With Cancer

Doctors across India are increasingly diagnosing cancer in people who are far younger than before. Dr. Varun Goel, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre,

Rohini, Delhi, told Times Now Digital that he now routinely sees patients in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s facing cancers once considered rare at these ages.Take Ankit, a 32-year-old marketing professional who dismissed his exhaustion and weight loss as job stress, until he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. “Cancer was once thought of as a disease of older people, but that is no longer the case,” says Dr. Goel.Across clinics, breast, colorectal, stomach, lung, and head-and-neck cancers are showing up earlier than ever. A National Institutes of Health report shows that between 2010 and 2019, 14 types of cancer became more common in people under 50. Many of these cases are diagnosed late, sometimes months after symptoms first appear. “The goal here is not to create fear, but to raise awareness. There is hope, as cancer outcomes are much better now than they were ten years ago," mentions Dr. Goel.

What Doctors Are Seeing On The Ground

According to Dr. Goel, many young people still believe cancer is an older person’s disease, which often leads to dangerous delays. “Staying fit and having no previous family history makes the risk of cancer development negligible; however, such beliefs could lead to unnecessary delay in cancer detection, losing out on the crucial time for effective and early successful management of cancer," he adds.By the time they seek medical help, early symptoms, like acidity, bleeding, or unexplained fatigue, may have been ignored for weeks or months.From his experience, Dr. Goel mentions that in day-to-day practice, doctors now observe:• Colorectal cancer in people under 40 accounts for 1 in 5 new cases occurring in this younger age group• Breast cancer in women in their late 20s and 30s makes up a significant portion of early-onset cases• Lung cancer in individuals who have never smoked; remarkably, about 10% of these patients are under 40• Head-and-neck cancers without traditional risk factors highlight a broadening of the affected populationThe trend is not that cancers have become more aggressive, he notes, but that they are being detected later.

Why Is This Happening?

There is no single cause, but modern lifestyle patterns are a major factor. Diets high in ultra-processed foods and sugar, low physical activity, poor sleep, increasing obesity, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and environmental pollution all contribute to rising risk. The real challenge, Dr. Goel says, is lack of awareness.“Many people ignore symptoms or treat them with over-the-counter medicine. Some rely on internet searches instead of seeing a doctor, which can waste valuable time," he adds. Read more: Why More Delhi Children Need Nebulisers This Winter Smog And How To Reduce The Risk

Late Diagnosis: The Biggest Threat

Dr. Goel explains one of the toughest aspects of his work: “One of the most challenging part of my job is counselling a young patient with cancer because of the fear, denial, social stigma, and the belief that cancer only happens to older people.”In cancer care, even a short delay matters. Early-stage cancers have far better survival rates. “The good news is that when cancer is found early, especially in young people, treatment often works very well," mentions Dr. Goel.Treatments today have also evolved beyond chemotherapy. New treatments, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, allow doctors to choose the best approach for each patient. Many young patients, he adds, “continue working during treatment, lead active lives, maintain a good quality of life, achieve long-term remission or cure.”

Prevention and Early Checks Can Save Lives

“Nearly one in three cancers can be prevented," explains Dr. Goel. Simple lifestyle changes, more physical activity, healthier food choices, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and timely vaccinations, significantly lower risk. Regular screenings are essential, even for younger adults with no family history.

A Message Of Awareness And Hope

“We need to move from fear to facts, from stigma to screening, and from waiting to taking action.”Dr. Goel urges young Indians to book their age-appropriate screening this week. “Taking this simple step can turn hope into action and may save lives.”Read more: Why Many Men Struggle with Mental Health in Silence, According to a Urologist