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?

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores as an additional regulatory safeguard for prescription drugs.

The move, proposed under amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, through Draft Gazette Notification G.S.R. 791 (E), aims to strengthen regulatory oversight of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.

Once implemented, it will help strengthen monitoring of the sale and distribution of these drugs and curb their unauthorized access and sale without valid prescriptions.

The proposed CCTV surveillance mechanism will also enhance transparency and accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain, strengthening safeguards for public health. The draft proposal is now open to public objections and suggestions before it is finalized.

What Are Schedule H, H1 And X Drugs?

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Schedule H: Prescription-only medicines, including many blood pressure, diabetes and anti-infective drugs. They must carry the Rx symbol and cannot be sold without a prescription.

Schedule H1: A stricter category covering certain antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis drugs and sedatives. These medicines carry a red-boxed Rx warning and require medical advice.

Schedule X: The strictest category, covering certain high-risk narcotic and psychotropic drugs such as morphine, amphetamines and strong barbiturates. Their sale requires a specific government licence in addition to a standard retail drug licence.

Why Is CCTV Surveillance Being Proposed At Pharmacies?

India is seeing concerns over spurious and fake drugs, with chemists being the major point of contact for medicines for a majority of people.

A recent nationwide survey by LocalCircles, a community social media platform, showed that 64% of consumers said chemists never or rarely ask for a doctor's prescription, while only 31% mostly got a qualified pharmacist at their chemist.

Only 15% of those surveyed said the chemist mostly or always refused to sell medicines without a prescription.

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The survey also found:

• 13% said someone at the chemist assisted them who was not a qualified pharmacist.
• 15% said medicines were found to be fake or counterfeit.
• Another 15% said they received completely ineffective medicines.
• 26% said they were not provided a GST bill.

Counterfeit Medicines Seized In Bengaluru

In a recent shocking case, investigators in Bengaluru seized large counterfeit cancer medicines, life-saving drugs and injections used in intensive care units (ICUs) that were being supplied to hospitals, clinics and medical stores.

According to investigators, the medicines may have been supplied to more than 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru.

A public interest litigation (PIL) has also been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a comprehensive national framework to check the manufacture and sale of counterfeit and adulterated medicines, including vaccines and cough syrups.

Drug Testing Data Shows Continued Quality Concerns

Data placed before Parliament shows that 1,41,322 drug samples were tested in 2025-26, the highest in five years. Of these, 3,012 were found to be Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) and 283 were found to be spurious or adulterated. A total of 779 prosecution cases were filed during the year, while 3,599 cases were filed over five years.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has also continued issuing monthly drug alerts through 2026, flagging 240 NSQ samples in January, 194 in February along with four spurious drugs, 168 in March, 157 in May and 159 in June.

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has crossed 700 cases, with the state reporting 731 cases, four measles-associated deaths and 141 hospitalizations as of September 16. The four deaths are the first in 35 years in the State and speaks volumes about the severity of the outbreak.

The state has also reported measles cases among vaccinated people, although these account for less than 1% of total cases.

Pennsylvania Seeks CDC Emergency Support

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has requested emergency assistance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), known as an Epi-Aid, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

However, the request is tied to a dispute over the CDC’s decision not to publicly recognize the four measles-associated deaths.

“The CDC’s choice not to publicly recognize ⁠the deaths undermines our response,” Pennsylvania Health Secretary Debra Bogen wrote to CDC Director Erica Schwartz.

She said the state would rescind its Epi-Aid request if the CDC could not “transparently and accurately communicate information” about the deaths.

Also read: Bill Gates Says Vaccine Hesitancy Could Make Ending Measles Impossible

Shapiro, Kennedy Clash Over Response

The dispute has also triggered a political clash between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Shapiro accused Kennedy of fueling vaccine skepticism, while Kennedy said Shapiro had declined federal assistance. Kennedy has also said the CDC’s MMR recommendation remains unchanged.

“CDC’s MMR recommendation remains unchanged. I have repeatedly stated that MMR vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles infection,” he said.

Shapiro said Pennsylvania would accept federal assistance but called on Kennedy and the CDC to recognize the four deaths.

Why CDC Is Not Counting The Deaths

The CDC is now using data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to track measles deaths, according to a September 4 agency note.

Previously, it used the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) to report such data.

“CDC will report measles deaths if and when the National Center for Health Statistics reports measles as the underlying cause of death,” said Emily Hilliard, a US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson.

The CDC’s 2026 tally currently shows no measles deaths because NCHS does not yet have records listing measles as the underlying cause.

Read More: 18-Year-Old Dies From Rare Measles Brain Complication As Pennsylvania Death Toll Hits 4

Measles Can Cause Serious Complications

Measles can cause complications including pneumonia and brain swelling. Nearly 20% of people who contract measles are hospitalized, while death, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.

The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that typically begins on the head and spreads downward. Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after exposure.

MMR Vaccine Remains The Best Protection

The best protection against measles is vaccination. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against measles, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

People with two documented doses generally do not need another. Those with only one dose or without vaccination records should speak with a healthcare provider or pharmacist.

UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has advised healthcare professionals to look for signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in people seeking cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers.

The recommendation is part of a draft guideline aimed at earlier identification of the two conditions, which can remain undiagnosed for years because people may hide symptoms due to shame or embarrassment. In addition, the cosmetic industry is vastly unregulated, increasing potential health risk.

“People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) could be identified earlier and offered more appropriate treatment,” said the draft NICE guidance published today.

What Does The NICE Guidance Say?

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NICE’s new draft recommends considering assessment for OCD or BDD among people with depression, anxiety, autism or ADHD, as well as those seeking cosmetic procedures.

The committee said symptoms can be overlooked or attributed to other conditions, delaying diagnosis and treatment.

"People with obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder can experience symptoms for a long time before they receive the right diagnosis and support. These conditions are often misunderstood, and many people find them difficult to talk about because of embarrassment, shame or fear of being judged,” Eric Power, interim director of the Centre for Guidelines at NICE, said.

Mental Health Checks Before Botox And Fillers

Healthcare professionals providing cosmetic treatments, including surgeons, dentists and dermatologists, would be advised to ask structured questions about appearance-related concerns and document their findings.

If responses suggest possible BDD, NICE recommends specialist assessment rather than proceeding with the cosmetic procedure at that stage.

Read More: More Women Buying Testosterone Without Prescription: Can It Help With Menopause?

The committee noted that cosmetic procedures rarely improve the underlying condition and may sometimes worsen symptoms.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis estimated that 18.6% of people attending aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery services had clinically significant BDD symptoms, compared with around 2% of adults in the wider population.

"Our draft recommendations aim to help healthcare professionals recognize symptoms earlier, ask the right questions and support people to access appropriate treatment sooner," Power said.

"Earlier identification can help ensure people receive care that reflects their needs, preferences and circumstances, rather than waiting until symptoms become more severe or reach crisis point," he added.

New Approach To OCD Treatment

The draft guideline also proposes a personalized “matched care” approach to OCD treatment, with interventions based on a person’s clinical needs, treatment history and preferences rather than a fixed sequence.

For children and young people with OCD, the draft recommends family-based cognitive behavioral therapy for many patients.

What Are OCD And BDD?

OCD affects an estimated 1.2% of the population. It involves unwanted, distressing thoughts, images, urges or doubts, often followed by repetitive behaviors or mental rituals such as checking, washing, counting or seeking reassurance.

BDD involves excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance, which can cause significant distress and interfere with daily life. Research suggests it affects around 2% of adults.

The consultation on the draft NICE guideline is open until October 21, 2026.