As we approach November 7th, India's National Cancer Awareness Day, a spotlight is shone on a recent study that takes us on a historical journey, unraveling the deep roots of cancer in India. This insightful exploration not only sheds light on India’s ancient acquaintance with cancer but also beckons a broader dialogue on cancer awareness, transcending modern-day presumptions.

Behind the Study

The paper, titled 'History of the Growing Burden of Cancer in India: From Antiquity to the 21st Century', published in the Journal of Global Oncology, challenges the common notion of cancer being a modern or Western-induced disease. The researchers embarked on an academic expedition, dissecting ancient texts and archival records to present a compelling narrative on cancer's longstanding presence in India.

Facts and Discoveries

The meticulous venture into the past revealed that “cancer-like illnesses have been documented in the Indian subcontinent since antiquity”. The pages of Ayurveda and Siddha, ancient Indian medical systems, are marked with mentions of cancer-like diseases and suggested remedies. The narrative took a quiet turn during the medieval period with scant mentions, only to resurface in the 17th century. This era marked a turning point where cancer case recordings began to appear, laying the groundwork for a more systematic understanding and documentation of cancer. The study also made a notable revelation - it's aging, not Western lifestyle influences, that stands as a primary risk factor for cancer in humans. This insight shifts the narrative, urging a look into intrinsic biological processes in understanding cancer’s occurrence.

Reflecting Forward

This National Cancer Awareness Day, the insights from the past beckon a more informed and global approach toward cancer prevention and treatment. The historical tracing of cancer in India underlines the importance of a culturally nuanced and historically grounded approach in the global fight against cancer.

The rich historical context provided by the study not only enriches our understanding but also sets a tone for a collaborative, well-informed global dialogue on cancer prevention and care. It reminds us that a look back into the past could well light the way for better strategies in cancer care, resonating with the core essence of National Cancer Awareness Day.

Source:

• https://thewire.in/health/cancer-in-india-westernisation-journal-of-global-oncology

• https://europepmc.org/article/MED/31373840

• https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdfdirect/10.1200/JGO.19.00048