NEW DELHI: India was estimated to record 15.33 lakh new cancer cases in 2024, while one in nine people faces a lifetime cancer risk. Against this backdrop, a Rajya Sabha panel has invited public and expert inputs on the latest interventions in affordable cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and management with proven outcomes. The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis, rising treatment costs and access to newer cancer technologies.The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, chaired by Samajwadi Party MP Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, has taken up the subject for detailed scrutiny and sought memoranda from healthcare professionals, researchers, patient groups, industry representatives and citizens.The exercise comes at a time when cancer care is undergoing rapid transformation, with advances in screening, diagnostics and treatment improving outcomes for many patients. However, access to these interventions remains uneven and affordability continues to be a challenge for a large section of patients.”India has made significant progress in expanding cancer care infrastructure and access to treatment. The next challenge is ensuring that proven advances in screening, diagnostics and therapy reach patients early and at an affordable cost. Through this exercise, the committee hopes to gather evidence-based suggestions that can strengthen early detection, improve treatment outcomes and reduce the financial burden of cancer care,” said Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, Rajya Sabha MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.Lack of awareness and screening remains the biggest reason why many cancers in India are still diagnosed at stages III and IV. While affordability affects outcomes, delayed diagnosis is the single biggest driver of cancer mortality. The most effective intervention would be stronger awareness, wider screening and faster access to diagnostic services so patients can begin treatment before the disease advances,” said Prof Chintamani, chairman and head, department of surgical oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis and the high cost of cancer care. Many patients continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, while newer therapies, though improving outcomes, often remain beyond the reach of many due to their cost.”The affordability of cancer treatment is a major concern. Many patients simply cannot afford the cost of care. The committee is seeking inputs to identify ways of improving access to affordable treatment before making its recommendations to Parliament,” said Gautam Buddha Nagar MP Dr Mahesh Sharma and member of the committee.Stakeholders have been given 15 days to submit suggestions, which could help shape recommendations on improving access to affordable and effective cancer care amid India’s rising cancer burden.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosISRO Successfully Tests New Motor For Gaganyaan SOLVE RocketMadhya Pradesh First To Include Hindu Members In Waqf Board Under New Law’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 Days123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? 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NEW DELHI: India was estimated to record 15.33 lakh new cancer cases in 2024, while one in nine people faces a lifetime cancer risk. Against this backdrop, a Rajya Sabha panel has invited public and expert inputs on the latest interventions in affordable cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and management with proven outcomes. The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis, rising treatment costs and access to newer cancer technologies.The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, chaired by Samajwadi Party MP Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, has taken up the subject for detailed scrutiny and sought memoranda from healthcare professionals, researchers, patient groups, industry representatives and citizens.The exercise comes at a time when cancer care is undergoing rapid transformation, with advances in screening, diagnostics and treatment improving outcomes for many patients. However, access to these interventions remains uneven and affordability continues to be a challenge for a large section of patients.“India has made significant progress in expanding cancer care infrastructure and access to treatment. The next challenge is ensuring that proven advances in screening, diagnostics and therapy reach patients early and at an affordable cost. Through this exercise, the committee hopes to gather evidence-based suggestions that can strengthen early detection, improve treatment outcomes and reduce the financial burden of cancer care,” said Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, Rajya Sabha MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.Lack of awareness and screening remains the biggest reason why many cancers in India are still diagnosed at stages III and IV. While affordability affects outcomes, delayed diagnosis is the single biggest driver of cancer mortality. The most effective intervention would be stronger awareness, wider screening and faster access to diagnostic services so patients can begin treatment before the disease advances,” said Prof Chintamani, chairman and head, department of surgical oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis and the high cost of cancer care. Many patients continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, while newer therapies, though improving outcomes, often remain beyond the reach of many due to their cost.“The affordability of cancer treatment is a major concern. Many patients simply cannot afford the cost of care. The committee is seeking inputs to identify ways of improving access to affordable treatment before making its recommendations to Parliament,” said Gautam Buddha Nagar MP Dr Mahesh Sharma and member of the committee.Stakeholders have been given 15 days to submit suggestions, which could help shape recommendations on improving access to affordable and effective cancer care amid India’s rising cancer burden.
