India reports 15 lakh new cancer cases annually, focus must be on prevention and early diagnosis, says Anupriya Patel

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel on Monday said that with nearly 15 lakh new cancer cases being reported every year in India, early detection and prevention remain India’s biggest weapon against the rising cancer burden.

Addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of 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.

Describing cancer as a major public health problem, Ms Patel said advances in prevention, medical technologies and treatment were improving survival rates and patient outcomes. However, changing lifestyles and environmental factors continued to contribute to the increased incidence of the disease. “The main challenge before us today is not only to provide affordable and quality treatment, but also to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage,” he said, adding that early diagnosis significantly increases survival rates.

Addressing the meeting virtually, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the hospital’s 25-year journey reflects former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao’s vision of providing affordable cancer treatment while promoting medical education and research in the field of oncology. “What started as a 100-bed institution 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 experts in the field of surgery, medical and radiation oncology,” he said.

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said cancer is one of the most important non-communicable diseases faced by society and noted that changing lifestyles, dietary habits and environmental factors are contributing to the increase in the number of cases.

“Telangana has declared cancer as a notifiable disease and has set up a cancer registry and a dedicated cancer portal for reporting cases. Cancer care centers have also been set up in district headquarters teaching hospitals to ensure patients can access treatment closer to their homes,” he added.

Hospital chairman and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna said the institution measures its success not by numbers but by lives changed and families reunited. The support of philanthropists and donors enabled the establishment of advanced radiation facilities and the establishment of South India’s first bone marrow transplant programme, which has emerged as one of the most respected programs in the region.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recalled that when the hospital was designed, specialized cancer treatment facilities were scarce and patients often faced major difficulties in accessing care. After the death of his wife Basavatarakam, late NT Rama Rao dreamed of an institution that would provide advanced cancer treatment regardless of the patient’s economic status.

Crediting Mr. Balakrishna for transforming the institution, Mr. Naidu said the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital has become a temple for cancer patients and stands as a symbol of hope and healing for thousands of families.

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