Inadequate diagnostic services still a critical gap in cancer care in India: NAMS report

The Hindu

6 days ago

One of the critical gaps in cancer care in India is the lack of adequate diagnostic services, finds the latest report by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), an advisory body to the Central government for health policy and planning. India is recording nearly 200,000 new cancer cases each year, the report adds.
The 'NAMS Task Force Report on Breast Cancer in India' published recently notes that the proportion of patients diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age is notably higher in India when compared with high income countries. Additionally, patients in India tend to present with later stage disease compared to the West. More than 60% of patients in India present at Stage 3 or 4, while around 60% of the patients in the U.S. are diagnosed in situ or at Stage 1.
It adds that more than 50% of patients in India experience a delay of over three months before seeking medical care. In India, breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
NAMS established a task force to prepare a report addressing this critical issue, and said that there was an urgent need for a comprehensive approach to effectively manage the disease.
Gaps in diagnostic services, treatment modalities, and lack of awareness are among the shortcomings in cancer care in India, the report said.
'Breast cancer is treatable when diagnosed in its early stages. In India the survival rate for patients with breast cancer is lower compared to Western countries due to several factors, including the late-stage presentation, delayed initiation of definitive management, and inadequate or fragmented treatment,'' the paper states.
The NAMS's task force is also looking into developing guidelines for stakeholders involved in combating breast cancer across the Indian population. Experts note that middle income countries, including India, are expected to be largely responsible for the increase in cancer incidence worldwide over the next 50 years.
'Sixty percent of the global population resides in Asia, which accounts for 50% of cancer cases and 58% of cancer-related deaths. Furthermore, India ranks third in accounting for cancer cases, following China and the United States of America. The projected cancer burden in India is estimated to reach 2.08 million by 2040, representing a 57.5% increase from 2020,'' the paper states.
The NAMS report also finds that the landscape of cancer care in India has seen significant advancements in treatment modalities and preventive measures.
'Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative currently has over 1,63,402 operational centres by the end of 2023. Within these centres, primary healthcare teams have conducted a staggering 10.04 crore breast cancer screenings, underscoring the programme's commitment to widespread outreach and accessibility,'' the report said.