In a bid to transform cancer care in India, FICCI-EY Parthenon has released a comprehensive roadmap titled “Roadmap for Making Cancer Care Affordable and Accessible in India”. This compendium, developed through five regional roundtables organized over the past year under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, emphasises the urgent need for a Comprehensive National Cancer Care Policy/Program. The paper urges the Government of India to prioritize cancer care by allocating dedicated funding for six high-burden cancers affecting the nation.

The report underscores the critical burden posed by cancer in India. Current estimates indicate that while reported cancer cases in 2022 were approximately 19 to 20 lakhs, the actual incidence could be up to three times higher. The compendium projects that within the next five to six years, new cancer cases may reach as high as 45 lakh. This escalating incidence rate is compounded by a limited and unevenly distributed cancer care infrastructure, placing a disproportionate load on urban tertiary centers.

Moreover, the prohibitive cost of cancer treatment—estimated to be three times higher than other non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—creates additional barriers for many patients. Despite this, India's involvement in global clinical trials remains minimal at just 4%, although the country bears 20% of the world’s disease burden.

Leaders Highlight the Path Forward

Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Chair of the FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder of Mahajan Imaging Labs, commented on the extensive collaboration behind the compendium, stating, “Through these roundtables, we learned that while many states are making strides in cancer care, there remains a vast potential for more comprehensive, preventive, and treatment-focused initiatives. This document offers a blueprint for policymakers, healthcare providers, and the community to collectively transform the cancer care landscape in India.”

Adding to this, Dr. Raj Gore, Co-Lead of FICCI's Cancer Care Task Force and CEO of HCG, pointed to the urgent need for women’s cancer care. “Ensuring equitable access to healthcare for women is essential,” he said. “By addressing barriers such as low awareness, fear of screening, and financial constraints, we can improve early detection and access to effective treatments. This will help reduce the overall cancer burden and enhance health outcomes for women across India.”

Addressing Systemic Challenges

Ms. Srimayee Chakraborty, Partner at EY Parthenon India, highlighted the pervasive challenges across the cancer care continuum—from awareness and prevention to detection and treatment. She stressed that advancing cancer care infrastructure and ensuring equitable access for rural and urban populations are crucial. “It is essential to equip healthcare facilities with appropriate technology and resources,” she noted, adding that public-private partnerships could significantly bolster the investments needed for efficient, accessible cancer care.

Promoting Regular Screening and Value-Based Care

Ms. Malti Sachdev, Senior Vice President at Varian (India and Territories), Siemens Healthcare, discussed the low rates of cancer screening, with only 15% of Indian women undergoing safe breast cancer screenings and a mere 1-2% of the population engaging in regular check-ups. “This lack of screening contributes to the financial burden on the healthcare system,” she said. Drawing comparisons with countries like South Korea and Japan, where 75-95% of cancer treatment costs are covered and healthcare is outcome-driven, Sachdev urged India to adopt similar value-based measures, such as mandatory screenings and insurance coverage for advanced therapies, to improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Policy Recommendations for Enhanced Cancer Care

The compendium advocates for prioritizing cancer care within the Ministry of Health’s agenda, emphasizing that cancer screening in India—currently part of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS)—is limited to breast, oral, and cervical cancers. The report suggests that under the present setup, cancer care is not receiving adequate policy focus and funding. A Comprehensive National Cancer Care Policy/Program with targeted funding for high-burden cancers could provide a more holistic approach, encompassing diagnostics, medical, surgical, and radiation treatments.

The report also recommends that existing government healthcare schemes be upgraded to include enhanced coverage specifically for cancer care. By offering a top-up that could triple or quadruple the basic coverage—from INR 5 lakhs to INR 15-20 lakhs—India could expand access to innovative treatments, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

This blueprint by FICCI-EY Parthenon lays a foundation for India’s healthcare policymakers, medical professionals, and communities to create a future where cancer care is not only affordable but also within reach for every Indian.