India's 15 Lakh New Cancer Cases Annually: Prevention and Early Diagnosis Key, Says Minister

Nearly 15 lakh new cancer cases are reported annually in India, and early detection and prevention remain the country's strongest tools against the growing cancer burden, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said on Monday.

Addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Hyderabad, Ms. Patel described the institution as a shining example of compassionate care, dedicated service and social commitment.

Calling cancer a major public health challenge, Ms. Patel noted that advances in prevention, medical technologies and treatment have improved survival rates and patient outcomes. However, changing lifestyles and environmental factors continue to contribute to the rising incidence of the disease. “The real challenge before us today is not just in providing affordable and quality treatment, but in preventing cancer and detecting it at an early stage,” she said, adding that early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who addressed the gathering virtually, said the hospital's 25-year journey reflects the vision of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao to provide affordable cancer treatment while promoting medical education and research in oncology. “The institution, which began with 100 beds, has grown into a 650-bed hospital equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities and supported by a team of more than 250 specialists in surgical, medical and radiation oncology,” he said.

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said cancer is one of the most significant non-communicable diseases confronting society and noted that changing lifestyles, dietary habits and environmental factors are contributing to the increasing number of cases. “Telangana has declared cancer a notifiable disease and established a cancer registry and a dedicated cancer portal for reporting cases. Cancer care centres have also been set up in teaching hospitals at district headquarters to ensure that patients can access treatment closer to their homes,” he added.

Hospital chairman and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna said the institution measures its success not in numbers but in the lives transformed and families reunited. Support from philanthropists and donors has enabled the establishment of advanced radiation facilities and South India's first bone marrow transplantation programme, which has emerged as one of the most respected programmes in the region.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recalled that specialised cancer treatment facilities were scarce when the hospital was conceived and that patients often faced immense hardship in accessing care. Following the death of his wife Basavatarakam, the late N.T. Rama Rao envisioned an institution that would provide advanced cancer treatment irrespective of a patient's economic status. Crediting Mr. Balakrishna with transforming the institution, Mr. Naidu said the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital has evolved into a temple for cancer patients and stands as a symbol of hope and healing for thousands of families.

Also present at the occasion were former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, several other dignitaries and cancer survivors.