Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, and go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the second most common cause of death globally, accounting for millions of deaths every year. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women. However, these are not necessarily the deadliest forms of cancer.

What makes cancer the deadliest depends upon how many people have it and what percentage of those people actually survive. Cancer researchers determine this on the basis of five-year relative survival. This is the percentage of people who are expected to survive the effects of a given cancer, excluding their risk of other possible causes of death, for five years past a diagnosis. It is also important to note that what makes cancer really deadly is that practically no cure for it. A cure for cancer would imply that there are no cancerous cells remaining in the body.

Here are the 5 deadliest cancers in the U.S., according to SEER five-year relative survival data for cases diagnosed between 2014 and 2020.

1. Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas, a gland in your abdomen that aids digestion, mutate and multiply out of control, forming a tumour. Major risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, certain genetic mutations and environmental chemical exposure.

2. Esophageal cancer develops in the oesophagus, which is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach.

3. Liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer originate in the liver or bile ducts, often linked to hepatitis infections, heavy alcohol use, obesity, and aflatoxin exposure.

4. Lung and bronchus cancer primarily caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, and environmental pollutants, affects the lungs and airways, making it the leading cause of cancer death in the US.

5. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer that progresses rapidly, often linked to genetic mutations, radiation exposure, and certain chemicals.

ALSO READ: Why Are Lifestyle Factors Making Millennials Vulnerable To Cancer?

More than 80 lakh girls have been vaccinated in India, marking another milestone in strengthening preventive healthcare and advancing protection against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers, the Health Ministry said today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Rajasthan's Ajmer as part of India's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in February this year.

“With every vaccination, India takes another step towards a healthier, cancer-free future for its daughters,” the Ministry said in a post on X.

Supreme Court Hears PIL Against HPV Vaccine Program

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the proposed administration of the HPV vaccine to adolescent girls.

The petition by Universal Health Organisation (UHO) — a Delhi-based forum of doctors and academics — alleged that the exercise was being carried out “without adequate informed parental consent”,

It also raised concerns about potential adverse effects, the manner in which the program was being implemented, monitoring of adverse events and the absence of a compensation mechanism. The petitioner also claimed that the vaccine could affect fertility.

Pointing out that the WHO itself has recommended the vaccination programme, a three-judge bench presided over by CJI Surya Kant expressed strong disapproval of the PIL. The bench also cautioned against making claims about vaccines without adequate scientific research, observing that such assertions could undermine or derail a public health program.

The petition was thereafter withdrawn, Live Law reported.

"WHO prescribes [HPV] vaccine for women. After that, I don't think doctors should come up with a petition. Wherever there's a case of incorrect vaccination, ordinary rules of compensation will apply. No special treatment for adverse impact in case of a particular vaccine," the bench said.

While the petitioners clarified that the PIL was not intended to oppose vaccination, they said their concerns were primarily about the implementation of the program, particularly the monitoring of adverse events and the absence of a compensation mechanism.

“I am not at all anti-vaccine,” counsel submitted, adding that adverse events following vaccination should be properly monitored and that there should be a mechanism to compensate affected individuals.

The CJI said the matter concerned the health of millions.

"Don't ask us to make harsh observations. If petitioner members are doctors, it's a very very serious issue. It's a question of health of millions of our daughters. And you want to derail this?" the CJI observed.

Petition in Delhi High Court

In July 2026, a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the rollout of Merck's Gardasil-4 vaccine by gynecologist Dr. Sujata Mittal and health entrepreneur Jitendra Chouksey, who challenged the nationwide rollout of Merck's Gardasil vaccine.

The High Court refused to stay the vaccination drive but issued notices to the Centre, ICMR and CDSCO, seeking detailed replies regarding safety protocols and consent procedures within four weeks.

Following the High Court's refusal to halt the drive, the UHO filed a fresh, independent PIL directly before the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution.

The organization sought an immediate suspension of the school-based vaccination component.

Why HPV Vaccination Matters

The national program uses Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.

According to the government, Gardasil has been licensed for use in India since 2008. The nationwide rollout follows recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and approvals by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. While many infections clear on their own, persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains can lead to cervical, anal, throat and penile cancers.

HPV vaccination is widely recommended to help prevent cervical cancer, particularly when administered before exposure to the virus.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new health alert warning of an increase in human rabies exposures involving known rabies vectors and animals in which rabies is less commonly reported.

From July through August 2026, the CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025, including reports of mass exposure events.

The warning comes less than two weeks after three baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies, potentially exposing hundreds of people. The state health department said rabies shots had been recommended for more than 260 people.

The CDC pointed to “several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposure events,” highlighting the importance of careful rabies risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Why Is Rabies Risk Higher In Summer?

Rabies exposures typically peak in summer, when people spend more time outdoors and may have more encounters with wildlife.

Recent cases have included rabid raccoons, dogs, cats, skunks and bats in several US locations. Bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are among the animals most frequently implicated in rabies exposures in the US.

Why Is Immediate Treatment Important?

Rabies is a rare but potentially fatal viral disease that spreads primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should seek medical care immediately. PEP typically includes washing the wound, rabies vaccination and human rabies immune globulin, an antibody treatment that helps prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system.

The CDC says PEP is nearly 100% effective when administered quickly after exposure. However, once symptoms appear, rabies is almost invariably fatal. The World Health Organization warns that death is inevitable once a patient begins experiencing symptoms.

PEP can also be expensive, with costs ranging from $11,000 to $14,000, according to the CDC.

What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms can take weeks or months to appear and may initially include fever, headache, weakness and discomfort. A person who has been bitten may also experience prickling or itching at the wound site.

As the disease progresses, severe neurological symptoms can develop, including anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations. Severe disease typically develops around two weeks after the initial symptoms, according to the CDC.

How To Prevent Rabies Exposure

The CDC advises people to avoid contact with wildlife, particularly animals that appear sick, injured or dead.

“If you have pets, keep them up to date on rabies vaccines and away from wildlife when possible,” the CDC said.

If you or your pet comes into contact with wildlife, particularly after a bite or scratch, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and speak with a healthcare provider about the exposure.

With H1N1 outbreak expanding in Delhi, India is witnessing an overwhelming increase in seasonal influenza cases. To compound to the public health issue, the flu vaccine that best matches the viruses currently circulating in the country is facing a supply shortage.

Therefore, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has advised that another seasonal influenza vaccine can be used temporarily until the one preferred becomes available again.

The ICMR recommendation comes after influenza surveillance found that viruses circulating in India have a closer match with the strains included in this year’s Northern Hemisphere (NH) vaccine.

However, the Southern Hemisphere (SH) vaccine, which is available in India, can still provide protection against several viruses circulating in the country.

Why Is There A Shortage Of Flu Vaccine In The First Place?

According to ICMR, the NH vaccine would be the ideal choice because its composition closely matches the influenza viruses currently detected in India.

ICMR said, “Since the surveillance data indicates close resemblance of the circulating influenza strains in India with the Northern Hemisphere recommendations of WHO, it would be ideal to administer the NH vaccine.”

“However, in view of non-availability of NH vaccine, the available SH vaccine may be used, and SH vaccine be replaced with NH vaccine as soon as it becomes available,” it added.

According to several reports, the shortage is starting to affect hospital supplies, including government supply of the preferred vaccine.

The surge in demand, production timelines, limited imports and redistribution of vaccines globally could be the factors driving the shortage currently.

Also read: ICMR Study Shows Pune Dengue Mosquitoes Resistant To Insecticides: What It Means for Public Health

Does The Available Southern Hemisphere Vaccine Protect Against H1N1?

The current H1N1 virus circulating in India can be tackled by both the NH and SH vaccines. The difference is primarily in the strains of the other influenza viruses they target, particularly H3N2 and influenza B.

ICMR surveillance has detected H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B viruses circulating in India. The NH vaccine contains versions of H3N2 and influenza B that more closely match the strains currently being detected.

India's National Centre for Disease Control has also previously advised that when the latest recommended seasonal formulation is unavailable, the latest available trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine may be used.

Also read: 98 Years After Penicillin, Are We Running Out Of Effective Antibiotics?

Should You Wait For The Preferred Vaccine?

People who are at higher risk of severe influenza, doctors say that said it may not be necessary to remain unvaccinated while waiting for the NH vaccine.

These include older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses or weak immune system. Influenza can cause complications like pneumonia and can worsen existing medical conditions in vulnerable people.

HealthandMe spoke to Dr. Divya K S, Infectious Disease Specialist at Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, Bangalore, about the efficacy of SH vaccine on H1N1. The doctor also explained if one should wait for NH vaccine.

The doctor explains, “People should take the Southern Hemisphere vaccine which is available for now rather than wait. Because waiting now means leaving people with no protection at all while active flu season is on. Bothe the vaccines do have some components in common. So taking the SH vaccine does give protection

The expert also clarified if SH vaccine offers complete adequate coverage on current H1N1 strain.

She added, “On H1N1 specifically, the SH vaccine offers full expected protection, because the H1N1 strain — A/Missouri/11/2025-like virus — is identical in both the NH and SH formulations this season. it is H3N2. B/Victoria strains that are different from the NH vaccine.”

India's influenza surveillance network continually tracks circulating strains and helps determine which vaccine is likely to offer the best match. This year's ICMR assessment is why the NH formulation is preferred, but the SH vaccine still remains a practical alternative while supplies are limited. Experts recommend taking it instead of staying unprotected.