The incidence of cancer in the rural areas in the country is much lower when compared to towns and cities, triggering an interest among experts to study the causes for the phenomenon.

While the incidence is 45 per one lakh a year in the rural areas, it is as high as 95-100 per lakh a year in major cities and 70 per lakh a year in midsized towns, according to Rajendra Badwe, Director Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai.