Sep 10, 2024
Mumbai: In a wonying trend reflecting the increasing anxiety surrounding cancer in India, GOQii, a preventive healthcare company, has found that over 60 per cent of the Indian population fears developing cancer, transcending demographic, age, gender, and socio-economic barriers.
The report, titled “Living in Fear: The Hidden Epidemic of Cancer Anxiety Among the Public,” surveyed 1,250 individuals and drew data from the company’s user base of over 5 million. It revealed that 60 per cent of respondents reported “moderate to extreme worry” about developing cancer, while 24 per cent expressed fear of death from the disease.
The study also shed light on the reasons behind this pervasive fear. It noted that 56 per cent of respondents cited environmental factors like pollution and radiation as major contributors to cancer risks, while 27.6 per cent attributed their anxiety to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking and poor diets.
Alarmingly, the report highlighted that 70 per cent of respondents had not undergone any form of cancer screening in the past five years, pointing to a significant gap in proactive health management.
“Cancer fear and anxiety are real, affecting millions of people across India in ways that extend beyond physical health. Many are living in constant fear,” said Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO of GOQii. “This report is a wake-up call. We need to shift our focus to prevention, early detection, and providing people with the tools and resources to manage both their health and their anxiety.”
Dr Anurag Agrawal, Head of the Koita Center for Digital Health, Dean of Biosciences and Health Research at the Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, said,”As longevity increases, particularly when accompanied by unhealthy living, the risk of cancer unfortunately rises. It is imperative that we focus on promoting preventive measures and fostering healthy habits to address this growing concern.”
The report calls for a “drastic overhaul” of India’s healthcare infrastructure to prioritize early detection and ensure equitable access to cancer treatment. It emphasizes the need for urgent public health intewentions to bridge this gap, especially in underselvecl regions of India, particularly in rural areas where healthcare resources are severely limited.
Source: Economic Times