pollo Cancer Centre Navi Mumbai launches nationwide campaign to fight against cancer
‘Unify to Notify’– Urges Government to Classify Cancer a Notifiae Disease in India
Navi Mumbai, 4th February 2025 (GNI): Apollo Cancer Centres, launches a nationwide campaign–Unify to Notify–on World Cancer Day. The campaign urges the Government of India to classify cancer as a notifiable disease, a much-needed critical step for combating the menace of the disease
India currently reports over 14 lakhs new cancer cases annually, with the number expected to rise to 15.7 lakhs by 2025. Designating cancer as a notifiable disease will:
- Ensure real-time data collection and accurate reporting, thereby establishing a clearer picture of the disease’s scale.
- Develop standardized treatment protocols through epidemiological analysis and targeted intervention strategies.
- Will enhance, accuracy, efficiency and accessibility in cancer treatment ultimately strengthening India’s role in global oncology research and care
In 2022, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare submitted a report to the Rajya Sabha recommending cancer be classified as a notifiable disease. Through this initiative, the industry experts are hoping that the Government of India take the next logical move which is to pass this Bill in both the Upper and Lower Houses in the upcoming budget session.
Dr Ghanshyam Dulera, President, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Navi Mumbai, said, “IMA is aware of National Cancer Registries showing that number of cancer cases among Indians is sharply rising, at this rate India may become the cancer capital of the world. Another trend is of cancer being detected among younger population. Efforts are required from various healthcare providers to step up to meet the demand for better cancer care. Apollo Cancer Centres has been leading several initiatives in this direction especially when it comes to screening for early detection”
Dr Anil D’Cruz, Director Oncology and Sr Consultant Head & Neck Oncology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, said, “Making cancer notifiable will revolutionize our understanding of cancer patterns at the state level. It will help us identify regional variations in cancer types and risk factors, leading to more targeted prevention programs. Apollo Cancer Centres has established a network of cancer centres across the country, which will play a critical role in collecting and analysing cancer data at the state level. By analysing cancer data at the state level, we can identify areas with high cancer incidence and develop targeted interventions to address these disparities.”
Mr Arunesh Punetha, Regional CEO-Western Region, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Making cancer a notifiable disease is a transformative step that will revolutionize how we approach cancer care in India. With proper documentation of every cancer case, we can better understand patterns, allocate resources efficiently, and develop targeted treatment protocols. At Apollo Cancer Centres, we have already established a robust cancer registry, which has enabled us to track cancer trends and outcomes. We are now seeking the invaluable support of industry experts and urge the Government of India to pass this Bill in both the Upper and Lower Houses, to enable better cancer care and research across India.”
The ‘Unify to Notify’ campaign represents a yeoman step towards transforming cancer care in India and identifying cancer as a notifiable disease, where every cancer case counts, every patient matters, and no data point is lost in the journey towards better cancer care in India.
While 15 states, including Haryana, Karnataka, Tripura, West Bengal, Punjab, Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, and Rajasthan, have already made cancer a notifiable disease, nationwide implementation remains a necessity. Globally, over 12 countries including the US, England and Wales, Scotland, Denmark, Nordic countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and The Gambia, have recognised the importance of mandatory cancer reporting. Emds GNI
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