Highlighting the pressing need for concerted efforts to address the challenges associated with cancer care in India, experts here have urged the government to prioritise the classification of the disease as a notifiable disease and to work towards improving access to comprehensive care and treatment facilities nationwide.

This move, they argue, would ensure accurate reporting of incidence and enable effective follow-up measures, the argued.

Indrani Kaushal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry underscored the gravity of the situation, citing projections from a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). According to the study, India is projected to witness 15.33 lakh new cancer cases annually, with an estimated mortality rate of around 8 lakh.

Speaking at the ‘Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Roundtable for the Eastern Region’, Kaushal highlighted Odisha as one of the top 12 states contributing significantly to the country’s cancer incidence.

The experts also drew attention to the inadequate infrastructure for cancer care in India, noting that 85% of districts in the four Eastern states lack comprehensive cancer care centers.

Only 20% of cancer patients in the country have access to radiotherapy, a crucial treatment modality.

Raj Gore, the co-lead of the FICCI Task Force on Cancer Care and CEO of Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), emphasized the urgent need for more comprehensive cancer care centers across the nation. He noted that less than 30% of districts in India have access to such facilities, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.

“Our task is cut out, and the magnitude of the problem is far greater than many realise,” stated Gore.

“Our focus should not only be on raising awareness and prevention but also on ensuring better patient outcomes through timely and complete treatment of patients,” he added.

Gore stressed the importance of not only raising awareness and prevention efforts but also ensuring better patient outcomes through timely and complete treatment. Additionally, the experts called for enhanced grassroots-level prevention and awareness programs, along with training initiatives for healthcare workers such as Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs).

The formation of the FICCI Task Force on Cancer Care represents a concerted effort to tackle these challenges head-on.

 “Our focus should not only be on raising awareness and prevention but also on ensuring better patient outcomes through timely and complete treatment of patients.

This encompasses improving access to comprehensive cancer care centres and mitigating the additional financial burden on patients and their families,” added Gore.