Cancers in all forms are causing about 12 per cent of deaths throughout the world. In the developed countries cancer is the second leading cause of death accounting for 21% (2.5 million) of all mortality. In the developing countries cancer ranks third as a cause of death and accounts for 9.5% (3.8 million) of all deaths. Tobacco alcohol, infections and hormones contribute towards occurrence of common cancers all over the world.

Cancer has become one of the ten leading causes of death in India. It is estimated that there are nearly 1.5-2 million cancer cases at any given
point of time. Over 7 lakh new cases of cancer and 3 lakh deaths occur annually due to cancer. Nearly 15 lakh patients require facilities for diagnosis, treatment and follow up at a given time. Data from population-based registries under National Cancer Registry Programme indicate that the leading sites of cancer are oral cavity, lungs, oesophagus and stomach amongst men and cervix, breast and oral cavity amongst women. Cancers namely
those of oral and lungs in males, and cervix and breast in females account for over 50% of all cancer deaths in India.

WHO has estimated that 91 per cent of oral cancers in South-East Asia are directly attributable to the use of tobacco and this is the leading cause
of oral cavity and lung cancer in India.