From prevention to precision: The future of cancer care in India

India stands at a pivotal moment in the fight against cancer. With a rapidly ageing population, changing lifestyles, and increasing environmental risks, cancer incidence is rising sharply, even among younger age groups.

- Dr Manish Singhal

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the cancer burden in India has increased from 26.7 million DALYs (disabilityadjusted life years) in 2021 to 29.8 million in 2025. More than 40% of this burden is concentrated in seven major cancer sites: lung (10.6%), breast (10.5%), oesophagus (5.8%), mouth (5.7%), stomach (5.2%), liver (4.6%), and cervix uteri (4.3%). Lung cancer remains the most prevalent among men, while breast cancer leads among women.

Many cancers in India are diagnosed late, making treatment more difficult and outcomes poorer. High treatment costs place a heavy financial strain on households, particularly for those with limited resources.

Additionally, specialist care and large cancer centres are mostly in tier-1 cities, so people in rural areas often cannot access them easily. At the same time, rising obesity, unhealthy diets, inactivity, tobacco, and pollution are contributing to the growing number of preventable cancers.