For many young Indians today, cancer is no longer a distant medical term or something that happens only later in life. It has become personal. A friend’s diagnosis. A relative’s sudden illness. A colleague’s long treatment journey. When cancer appears close to home, it quietly changes the way people think, especially about their health and daily choices.
According to Dr Syed Afroze Hussain, Senior Consultant in Surgical Oncology at Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai, this proximity is one of the biggest reasons awareness around cancer is growing among younger age groups. “When people see cancer affecting someone they know, it stops being abstract. They start asking questions about food, lifestyle, and prevention,” he says.
Awareness is coming from everywhere
Social media, news platforms and everyday conversations have amplified this awareness. From research studies to personal stories, cancer information now appears regularly on people’s screens. Educational institutions have begun introducing conversations around cancer risk, nutrition and long-term health. Workplaces, too, are hosting health sessions led by medical professionals, helping employees understand which habits increase risk and which ones can protect them.
Slowly, the focus is shifting from fear to prevention.
Food is where most people begin
One of the first areas young people are reassessing is what they eat. Dr Hussain points out that conversations around processed foods, excess salt, sugar and preservatives have become far more common, and for good reason.
“Diet plays a significant role in long-term cancer risk,” he explains. “Highly processed foods, excessive sugar intake and preservative-heavy diets can contribute to unhealthy metabolic changes in the body.”
Many are now rediscovering simpler eating practices. Freshly prepared food has become the starting point. Refrigerated foods are used when needed, but not relied on daily. People are also learning the importance of variety, not eating the same meals every day, but rotating foods to maintain nutritional balance.
Reading food labels has become another habit young consumers are picking up, helping them avoid unnecessary chemical additives.
Weight, metabolism and cancer risk
Maintaining a healthy body weight is another key part of the conversation. Obesity, Dr Hussain explains, can lower immunity and create conditions that support cancer development.
Fast food and sugary diets raise blood sugar and insulin levels, which, over time, can increase cancer risk. Reducing these foods isn’t about restriction, but moderation and awareness. “Small, consistent changes make a big difference,” he notes.
Giving the body time to repair
Another concept gaining attention is giving the digestive system regular rest. This allows the body to repair damaged cells through a natural process known as autophagy.
“Autophagy helps the body clear damaged cells before they turn harmful,” says Dr Hussain. “It’s similar to how good sleep helps the body recover. When digestion gets a break, the system rejuvenates.”
This doesn’t mean extreme fasting, but mindful eating patterns that allow the body time to reset.
Rethinking protein and cooking methods
Younger Indians are also becoming more mindful of the amount of red meat they eat, particularly if it is highly processed or cooked at very high temperatures. A shift towards proteins such as fish, poultry, and eggs, and an emphasis on eating a well-rounded diet rather than a strictly carbohydrate-based one, is more prevalent.
These changes aren't about severe diets but building sustainable habits that could last decades.
What's more important today is that people are no longer aware of the risks but are aware of why certain habits matter. When the logic is clear, when one sees how clean eating, balanced nutrition, and mindful living make sense, that's when the change seems achievable rather than overwhelming. As Dr Hussain puts it, “Prevention is not about perfection. It’s about making small, informed choices every day that support long-term health.”
Also read: Balanced diet benefits in 2026: Dietician explains why fad diets fall short
