Tumour markers: Importance in Asia’s health monitoring

Asian countries in general and China and India in particular, have been countries of economic interest for the last few years. Economic development has encouraged lifestyle changes which have resulted in a shift in disease prevalence more typically seen in richer Western Countries. With improved sanitation, widespread availability of antibiotics and immunization, there has been a drop in communicable disease incidence and a corresponding rise in the incidence of non communicable diseases such as cancer suspected to be due dietary changes, increased sedentary lifestyle, and exposure to pollution amongst other factors. China has seen the pronounced shift at relatively faster rate than India consistent with the more advanced stages of economic development.