A new study published by the Lancet Commission titled “Women, Power and Cancer” sheds light on the gender disparities in cancer care, particularly affecting women in India. This first-of-its-kind study underscores how societal apathy towards women’s health, lack of awareness, and inadequate access to quality healthcare at the primary care level have delayed cancer prevention, detection, and treatment for millions of women.
The study reveals that nearly two-thirds of cancer deaths in Indian women could have been prevented, and 37% could have been treated if timely diagnoses and optimal care had been accessible. Shockingly, around 6.9 million cancer deaths among women in India were preventable, and 4.03 million could have been treated.
Dr. Ishu Kataria, Commissioner at Lancet, highlights that family apathy, women’s indifference to their condition, lack of access, and financial constraints have contributed to the high mortality rates among Indian women with cancer. She emphasizes the need for a feminist approach to cancer care, calling for greater priority to be given to women’s health in the context of cancer.
Breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers were identified as the top three causes of cancer deaths among women in India in 2020. Infections, particularly the HPV virus causing cervical cancer and Hepatitis B and C infections leading to liver cancer, accounted for 23% of cancer deaths among Indian women. Tobacco use was the second significant risk factor, contributing to 6% of cancer-related deaths, while alcohol consumption and obesity each contributed to 1% of cancer mortality.
The study cites cases like Rama Devi from Mumbai, who suffered from severe headaches and vomiting but faced indifference from her husband and misdiagnosis by a local doctor. Such stories exemplify the challenges faced by marginalized women who cannot access timely cancer care, often leading to advanced stages of the disease.
Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Deputy Director at the Centre for Cancer Epidemiology, Tata Memorial Centre, underscores the importance of awareness, particularly among women with lower educational and financial resources.
This Lancet study emphasizes the urgent need to address gender disparities in cancer care, improve access to early diagnosis and treatment, and promote awareness and education, especially among vulnerable populations.
The Lancet Commission’s research aims to influence policy decisions to advance health equity, as it continues to explore the complex interplay between structural and individual-level risk factors for cancer among LGBTQIA+ individuals living in rural areas.
