India's Cancer Burden Set to Double by 2045, Experts Call for Prevention Focus
New Delhi: India is bracing for a dramatic surge in cancer cases over the coming decades, with annual new diagnoses projected to jump from approximately 1.5 million to nearly 2.5 million by 2045. This alarming forecast has prompted health authorities and medical experts to issue urgent warnings, emphasizing that early detection and prevention strategies must become central priorities alongside expanding treatment infrastructure.
Budget Measures Welcome, But Experts Caution More Needed
The stark warning was delivered by the Indian Cancer Society (ICS), Delhi, during a media briefing held on Tuesday, coinciding with the eve of World Cancer Day observed on February 4. The discussion came against the backdrop of the recently announced Union Budget 2026–27, which introduced customs duty exemptions on select cancer drugs and renewed emphasis on domestic biopharma manufacturing to improve treatment accessibility.
While public health experts welcomed these fiscal measures, they cautioned that reducing drug costs alone will be insufficient to counter India's escalating cancer burden. A significant challenge remains the high proportion of patients who continue to reach hospitals at advanced disease stages, complicating treatment and reducing survival chances.
Prevention and Early Detection Must Take Center Stage
Jyotsna Govil, Chairperson of ICS Delhi, stressed that the focus must remain on preventing cancers where possible and detecting them at early, more treatable stages. "The Budget opens the door for more affordable treatment, but our effort is to ensure patients do not reach advanced stages where these medicines become their only option," she explained. Govil highlighted the organization's longstanding commitment to cancer prevention, patient support, and advocacy, while also underscoring the media's crucial role in dispelling myths and promoting timely screening.
Presenting data on current epidemiological trends, Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi, Senior Director of Oncology at Fortis Memorial Hospital, noted that age-appropriate screening, early diagnosis, and advanced diagnostic tools can substantially improve patient outcomes while simultaneously reducing the overall cost of care.
Addressing Systemic Gaps and Regional Disparities
Highlighting persistent policy and systemic challenges, Dr. Urvashi Prasad, a cancer survivor and former director at NITI Aayog, pointed to regional disparities, weak cancer data systems, and financial barriers that continue to delay diagnosis and treatment across the country. She emphasized the need for stronger Centre-state coordination and sustained public investment in comprehensive cancer care infrastructure.
Offering a survivor's perspective, Renuka Prasad, Secretary of ICS Delhi, spoke about the profound emotional, physical, and financial toll cancer exacts on patients and their families. She outlined the society's community-focused initiatives, including:
- Large-scale screening programs in underserved areas
- The Prashanti healing and rehabilitation center
- Digital outreach through the Rise Against Cancer mobile application
- Comprehensive patient support and counseling services
Integrating Cancer Care into Primary Health Systems
Addressing cancer prevention within the broader framework of universal health coverage, Dr. Monika Puri, a public health consultant and former World Health Organization official, argued that prevention, screening, and continuity of care must be systematically integrated into primary health systems. This integration is essential to ensure equitable access to cancer services across all socioeconomic groups and geographic regions.
As India prepares for this impending public health challenge, experts unanimously agree that a multifaceted approach combining policy intervention, public awareness, early detection, and affordable treatment will be critical to mitigating the impact of rising cancer incidence over the next two decades.
