As an oncologist who has treated thousands of patients across urban India over the past two decades, Dr Udip Maheshwari, Cancer Physician, MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre says he is witnessing a troubling
and consistent pattern.
“Diseases we once believed were driven mainly by age or genetics including cancer are now increasingly rooted in how we live our daily lives,” says Dr Maheshwari.
In India’s rapidly urbanising cities, relentless work schedules, poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, rising pollution, and chronic stress are quietly laying the foundation for a growing cancer burden, often affecting people far earlier than expected.
The Rising Cancer Burden in Urban India
Cancer incidence in India is steadily increasing. Recent estimates indicate that over 15.33 lakh new cancer cases were recorded in 2024 alone, with large metropolitan centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru contributing tens of thousands of cases each year. While improved diagnostics play a role, the rise cannot be explained by detection alone.
“Nearly 11% of Indians are expected to develop cancer during their lifetime, and urban regions report some of the highest age-adjusted cancer rates in the country,” notes Dr Maheshwari.
Even more concerning is the shift in age demographics. “Almost 20% of new cancer diagnoses now occur in individuals below 40 years of age,” he adds. “Changes in diet, sedentary lifestyles, tobacco and alcohol use, and mounting stress are major contributors to this trend.”
How Modern Urban Lifestyles Fuel Cancer Risk
“Cancer does not develop overnight,” explains Dr Maheshwari. “It is often the result of long-term exposure to factors that damage DNA, disrupt hormonal balance, or impair immune function.”
In urban India, many of these risk factors are deeply embedded in daily life:
Tobacco use: India has over 260 million tobacco users, and tobacco remains a leading cause of cancers of the lung, oral cavity, and throat.
Unhealthy diets and obesity: Increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugary snacks has driven rising obesity rates, which are linked to breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and several other cancers.
Physical inactivity: Desk jobs, long work hours, and excessive screen time significantly reduce physical activity, increasing the risk of breast, colon, and endometrial cancers.
Alcohol consumption: Regular and excessive alcohol intake is associated with cancers of the liver, mouth, throat, and breast.
Air pollution: Urban air pollution exposes populations to carcinogenic particulate matter that can initiate or accelerate cancer development.
Chronic stress and sleep deprivation: Persistent stress and poor sleep impair immune surveillance and hormonal regulation factors increasingly linked to cancer risk.
“Up to 70% of cancers in India are attributable to modifiable risk factors,” emphasises Dr Maheshwari. “This means a large proportion could potentially be prevented.”
The Hidden Cost of “Hustle Culture”
“In urban India, long hours and constant availability are often worn as badges of success,” says Dr Maheshwari. “But this culture of overwork quietly erodes health.”
Common patterns include:
Skipping meals or eating late at night
Dependence on caffeine and sugary snacks
Little or no structured physical activity
Chronic stress and inadequate sleep
“Over time, these behaviours lead to metabolic disturbances such as obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance, conditions that create a favourable environment for cancer to develop,” he explains.
What Urban Indians Can Do: Evidence-Based Prevention
“The encouraging reality is that many cancer cases can be prevented through conscious lifestyle changes,” says Dr Maheshwari.
1. Quit tobacco and limit alcohol
“Tobacco cessation is the single most effective step in cancer prevention. Reducing alcohol intake further lowers risk.”
2. Adopt a balanced, whole-food diet
“Prioritise fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit ultra-processed foods, deep-fried snacks, and sugary beverages.”
3. Stay physically active
“Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Activities such as brisk walking, cycling, yoga, or swimming improve metabolic health and reduce cancer risk.”
4. Protect sleep and manage stress
“Adequate sleep and stress-management practices such as mindfulness, exercise, or counselling support immune function and hormonal balance.”
5. Do not skip preventive screenings
“Breast self-examinations, Pap smears, colonoscopies, and other age-appropriate screenings should be part of routine healthcare. Early detection saves lives.”
6. Use preventive vaccines
“HPV vaccination helps prevent cervical cancer, while Hepatitis B vaccination significantly reduces the risk of liver cancer.”
“Cancer is not merely a matter of fate,” concludes Dr Maheshwari. “In urban India, it is increasingly shaped by lifestyle by how we work, eat, move, sleep, and cope with stress.”
The pursuit of professional success should not come at the cost of long-term health.
“With informed choices, preventive healthcare, and greater awareness, we can meaningfully reduce cancer risk and build healthier lives for ourselves and for future generations,” says Dr Maheshwari.
