Obesity rate, and alcohol and tobacco use are the major reasons driving cancer rates in Kerala -- far above the national average, experts said on Wednesday. 

A recent study presented by Prof Prashant Mathur, Director, ICMR-National Center for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru, at the Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, held last week, reveals alarming cancer trends in the state -- reporting an average of 88,460 cases annually.

“Reducing cancer burden requires a combination of general non-communicable disease risk reduction strategies and cancer-specific interventions,” Mathur told IANS.