Cancer in India often diagnosed at advanced stages despite screening systems
Low uptake of population-based screening and patients ignoring early warning signs contribute to late detection, according to a Times of India report.
Cancer in India is frequently detected at advanced stages, which reduces survival chances and complicates treatment, according to a report by the Times of India. Data from the Union Health Ministry placed before the Lok Sabha showed that the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Programme estimated 13.92 lakh new cancer cases in 2020, up from 13.25 lakh in 2018, with approximately 7.7 lakh deaths in 2020.
The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) has provided population-based screening for people aged 30 and above since 2016. This system covers hypertension, diabetes, and three types of cancer: breast, cervical, and oral cavity. Under current guidelines, ASHA workers use a checklist to offer oral, breast, and cervical examinations to eligible individuals every five years.
However, the fifth National Family Health Survey, conducted between 2019 and 2021, found low uptake. Only 1.9 per cent of women reported ever having a cervical cancer screening, while 0.9 per cent had breast or oral examinations. Among men, 1.2 per cent reported having an oral cancer examination.
Dr Prasad stated that the lack of a mandatory screening programme and the tendency for patients to ignore early symptoms lead to late diagnoses. A 2010 study cited in the Health Ministry’s 2016 framework noted that five-year survival rates for oral, breast, and cervical cancers drop significantly when detected at an advanced stage compared to early stages.
Regarding prevention, the government has focused on cervical cancer through vaccination. A national HPV vaccination campaign launched in February 2026 provides a single, voluntary dose to 14-year-old girls at government facilities with parental consent. As of 11 September 2026, the ministry reported that over 80 lakh doses had been administered.