Lifestyle, Prevention & Cancer Risk in India: Tips from a Leading Oncologist

Cancer may appear to strike at random, but science tells a different story. Nearly 40% of all cancers are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors — smoking, diet, alcohol, infections, and inactivity. In India, where both traditional habits and modern lifestyles coexist, prevention is not a slogan; it’s the most powerful cancer therapy we have.

Understanding the Indian Reality

India’s cancer landscape is unique. Oral and lung cancers dominate among men due to tobacco, while cervical and breast cancers are most common among women. The link between lifestyle and cancer risk is clear: tobacco, poor diet, obesity, and infections like HPV and hepatitis B play a major role. Yet, prevention remains the most neglected part of cancer control in our country.

The problem is not lack of awareness, but lack of sustained behavioral change. Despite campaigns and health warnings, smokeless tobacco remains widely used, junk food consumption is rising, and physical inactivity is becoming the new normal in urban India. As oncologists, we see the end result — advanced, preventable cancers arriving too late.

Diet and Lifestyle: Back to Basics

The fundamentals of cancer prevention are simple but powerful:- Avoid all forms of tobacco — smoking, chewing, or vaping.- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced diet and regular exercise.- Eat more plant-based foods: fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.- Limit processed foods, red meat, alcohol, and sugary drinks.- Protect against infections: HPV vaccination for girls, hepatitis B vaccination for all.- Regular screening: Pap smears, mammograms, and colon screenings save lives when done early.

These steps sound basic, but they have strong scientific evidence behind them. Small daily choices — walking 30 minutes, choosing home-cooked meals, quitting tobacco — collectively shape population-level outcomes.

Bridging Traditional Wisdom and Modern Science

India has a rich heritage of holistic living through Ayurveda and yoga, emphasizing balance and mindfulness. Modern research now validates that practices like meditation, yoga, and stress control can influence immunity and overall well-being. While they don’t replace medical care, they can complement it effectively.

Integrating these approaches into public health — instead of viewing them as opposites — may hold the key to sustainable cancer prevention in India.

The Way Forward

Cancer prevention is not just a personal responsibility; it’s a public health strategy. Policies on tobacco control, air pollution, vaccination, and food labeling need stricter implementation. Urban planning should encourage physical activity and reduce environmental carcinogens.

Every patient encounter is an opportunity to educate, not just to treat. As oncologists, we must champion prevention as passionately as we do precision therapy. Because the most effective cancer drug is still the one we never have to prescribe.

— Dr. Amol Akhade | Fortis Cancer Institute Mumbai, @SuyogCancer