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Lancet Study Links 1.9 Lakh Cancer Cases in India to HPV, Hepatitis B, H. Pylori Infections

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
29 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:1.9 lakh infection-linked cancer cases India (2024)2.3 million global infection-linked cases (12% of all cancers)HPV: 7.5 lakh global casesH. Pylori: 7.6 lakh global casesHBV: 3.6 lakh global casesHCV: 1.6 lakh global cases
Bodies:International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Lancet Oncology study estimates 1.9 lakh cancer cases in India (2024) attributable to infections, primarily HPV causing cervical cancer.

2.HPV, Hepatitis B, H. Pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, and Hepatitis C account for almost all infection-linked cancers globally.

3.India recently launched a national HPV vaccination programme, surpassing 8 million doses, transitioning to routine immunization.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

A Lancet study estimates 1.9 lakh cancer cases in India (12% of annual burden) are linked to preventable infections like HPV, Hepatitis B, and H. Pylori. For exams, this highlights the link between infection control and cancer prevention, HPV vaccination policy, and India's new national vaccination programme.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Cancer cases in India linked to infections (2024)1.9 lakh (12% of annual burden)
Global infection-linked new cancer cases (2024)2.3 million (12% of all cancers)
HPV-driven cases in IndiaOver 1 lakh
H. Pylori cases in India47,000
HPV vaccine used in IndiaGardasil-4 (quadrivalent)
HPV vaccine doses administered in IndiaOver 80 lakh (8 million)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Cancer cases in India linked to infections (2024): 1.9 lakh (12% of annual burden)
  • ›Global infection-linked new cancer cases (2024): 2.3 million (12% of all cancers)
  • ›Target this Data: 1.9 lakh infection-linked cancer cases in India (2024) | 2.3 million globally | 12% of all cancers
  • ›Target this Vaccine: Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent HPV vaccine) given in India's national programme | Over 80 lakh (8 million) doses administered
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) / Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN)

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which organization publishes the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) database that provided data for the Lancet study?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. According to the Lancet study, an estimated 1.9 lakh cancer cases in India in 2024 were linked to viral or bacterial infections.

2. The study found that Hepatitis C virus caused more cancer cases in India than Hepatitis B virus.

3. The HPV vaccine Gardasil-4 used in India protects against high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, which cause over 80% of cervical cancer cases in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the Lancet study, how many new cancer cases globally in 2024 were linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary public health implication of the Lancet study's findings?

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