Why One in Three Cancer Deaths in Delhi Are Among People Under 44

A recent government-linked mortality analysis report revealed that around 33 per cent of cancer deaths occurred in those less than 44 years old over the last two decades in the national capital, New Delhi.

In the last two decades, over 1.1 lakh people have lost their lives to the deadly disease, according to the government report. The report says that in 2005, a little over 2,000 people succumbed to the disease, and the number was 7,400 in 2024. But data shows a wide fluctuation in numbers. For instance, in 2011, cancer deaths in the city were almost 10,000. Over 41 per cent of those who died were aged 45–64, nearly 8 per cent were children under 14, and 5.8 per cent were youth aged 15–24. Hospitals in Delhi have recorded the deaths of 7,298 children and 5,415 young people under 24 over this period. “Cancer deaths in the city have been rising at an average rate of around 7 per cent annually, more than three times more than the city’s population growth,” Dr. Raman Narang, Medical Oncologist, M|O|C, told Times Now.

What cancers are most commonly causing deaths among younger people?

The Delhi data highlights a clear pattern by sex:

• Among women (aged 25 - 44), cancer deaths are mostly driven by breast and cervical cancers.
• Men mostly succumb to respiratory (lung) and oral cavity cancers that feature prominently. “Tobacco and areca nut use, and high air pollution exposure are the major causes behind this,” said Dr Narang.
• Among both sexes, digestive system cancers contribute substantially.

Also read: From Fatty Liver to Liver Cancer: How Doctors Treated a High-Risk Senior Without Surgery

Role of late diagnosis and lack of early screening

According to experts, in a majority of cases, late diagnosis in young adults is a major cause of mortality because most people start screening only when symptoms get out of hand. “Early symptoms are often dismissed as 'too young for cancer,” said Dr Narang. Dr Narang also called for the need to have early screening programmes, lifestyle interventions, and stronger, equal distribution of cancer care to prevent premature cancer deaths. “When cancers present late, cure rates fall sharply,” he said.

Are aggressive cancers more common in younger patients?

Dr Narang says in many cases, younger age is associated with more aggressive biology or higher-risk factors for cancers. “For breast cancer, studies from India and other settings describe higher-grade tumours and a higher proportion of HER2-positive or triple-negative disease in younger women, subtypes that tend to relapse earlier without timely multimodality care,” he said. For colorectal or colon cancer, global reviews of early-onset disease note higher cancer-specific mortality in those aged less than 50 years as compared with older patients, reflecting both biology and later-stage detection.

How awareness affects early symptom recognition

Awareness plays a critical role in early cancer symptom recognition by reducing the time it takes for an individual to notice a bodily change, interpret it as potentially serious, and seek medical help. According to studies, limited awareness of symptoms is a major barrier to early diagnosis, often leading to advanced-stage disease and higher mortality rates. “Young adults often normalize warning signs like lumps, abnormal bleeding, persistent mouth ulcer and hoarseness, or unexplained weight loss. Low perceived risk delays first consultation, increases fear or stigma, and “busy working years” delay follow-up testing, turning potentially curable disease into an advanced stage,” said Dr Narang. “Strengthening symptom literacy, tobacco/areca risk messaging, HPV vaccination and cervical screening awareness, and ’ don’t wait ’ pathways in primary care are key levers,” he added.