TIRUPATI — Cancer cases in the temple city have recorded a dramatic 75 percent increase over the last year, sounding alarms across the state medical administration.
Newly compiled data from regional tertiary care centers reveals that changed dietary habits, high tobacco consumption, and delayed medical screenings are driving this unprecedented rise.
The sudden surge has overwhelmed local oncology departments, creating long waiting lists for radiation and chemotherapy.
Public health officials report that lifestyle-related malignancies, particularly oral, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers, account for the highest share of the new caseload.
Medical experts point out that a massive influx of floating population combined with shifting local dietary patterns has complicated public health tracking.
Late-stage diagnoses remain a major challenge, with nearly 60 percent of patients seeking specialized treatment only after the disease has reached advanced stages.