India is facing a sharp rise in cancer cases, with annual new diagnoses projected to climb from over 1.5 million today to more than 2.45 million by 2045. Health experts warn that unless early detection and prevention are prioritised alongside treatment, the country’s healthcare system will struggle to cope with the growing burden.

Raising this concern on Tuesday, the Indian Cancer Society (ICS), Delhi, said India’s cancer response must move beyond a treatment-centric approach and place far greater emphasis on identifying cancer early, when survival rates are higher and treatment is less complex and costly.

The warning comes at a time when the Union Budget 2026–27 has announced several measures aimed at improving access to cancer treatment, including customs duty exemptions on select cancer drugs and a major push to strengthen domestic biopharma manufacturing. While these steps have been welcomed by public health experts, many cautioned that treatment alone cannot keep pace with the scale at which cancer cases are rising across the country.

These issues were discussed during a media interaction organised by the Indian Cancer Society (Delhi Branch) at the Press Club of India on Tuesday. Health experts, policymakers and cancer survivors came together to examine emerging cancer trends, persistent gaps in early diagnosis and the urgent need for stronger prevention strategies. “The 2026 Budget has opened the door for more affordable cancer care, but our mission at ICS is to ensure patients never reach advanced stages where medicines become their only hope,” a spokesperson for the ICS Delhi Branch said. Since 1983, the Delhi Branch has focused on translating policy intent into meaningful action at the community level.

The discussion concluded with a call for deeper public–private partnerships to fully leverage the new Biopharma Shakti framework, ensuring that screening and diagnostic tools reach underserved populations—many of whom ICS has been working with for over 70 years.

Speaking to the media, Mrs. Jyotsna Govil, Chairperson, ICS Delhi, highlighted the Society’s long-standing commitment to cancer prevention, patient support and advocacy. She underscored the crucial role of informed and responsible media in dispelling myths around cancer, encouraging early screening and ensuring that evidence-based information reaches communities in a clear and accessible manner.

Sharing data on cancer incidence and trends, Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi, Senior Director (Oncology) at Fortis Memorial Hospital, emphasised the importance of age-appropriate prevention strategies, regular screening and advances in diagnostics and treatment that can significantly improve outcomes while also reducing long-term healthcare costs.

Addressing policy and systemic challenges, Dr. Urvashi Prasad, cancer survivor and former Director at NITI Aayog, pointed to gaps in cancer data, wide regional disparities in access to care and financial barriers that continue to delay timely diagnosis and quality treatment. She stressed the need for stronger Centre–State coordination and sustained public investment to make cancer care more equitable across the country.

Offering a survivor’s perspective, Mrs. Renuka Prasad, cancer survivor and Secretary, ICS Delhi, spoke about the emotional, physical and financial toll cancer takes on patients and their families. She highlighted ICS Delhi’s community-focused initiatives, including Prashanti, the Society’s healing and rehabilitation centre, large-scale screening drives, the Rise Against Cancer app and patient support programmes supported by partners such as HDFC.

Placing cancer prevention within the broader framework of universal health coverage, Dr. Monika Puri, Public Health Consultant and former WHO official, emphasised the importance of integrating prevention, screening and continuity of care into primary healthcare systems to ensure equitable access, particularly for underserved populations.

The Indian Cancer Society, Delhi, works across prevention, early detection, patient support, rehabilitation and advocacy, with a strong focus on underserved communities. Through evidence-based programmes and compassionate care, the Society aims to reduce India’s cancer burden and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.