India’s Daycare Cancer Centers Herald New Era in Personalized Care: Experts
On World Cancer Day 2025, India announced a transformative vision for cancer care that aligns with the global campaign's "United by Unique," which promotes personalised, compassionate treatment options. The Union Budget 2025-26 announced the establishment of 200 daycare cancer centres at district hospitals, which experts see as a vital step towards closing the nation's cancer care gap. With one in every nine Indians at risk of cancer and annual cases expected to climb by 12.8%, this effort seeks to decentralise care, prioritise early diagnosis, and address systemic disparities..
The government's initiative to construct daycare facilities across the country aims to address impediments such as travel fees and treatment delays. Dr. Arun Kumar Giri, director of surgical oncology at Aakash Healthcare, emphasised their significance: "These centres will revolutionise oncology care by bringing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and supportive care closer to home." Strengthening grassroots infrastructure can increase survival rates and quality of life. Currently, advanced stages of diagnosis affect 75-80% of Indian patients, leading to high mortality rates. The effort seeks to counteract this tendency by decentralising care.
Dr. Praveen Gupta of Fortis Hospital stressed the importance of comprehensive therapy, saying, "Cancer has neurological and psychological dimensions." A universal approach is ineffective; every path is distinct. The centres will provide mental health treatment and rehabilitation, which is crucial for long-term well-being.
Telemedicine and AI-powered diagnostics, which will make use of BharatNet's internet access in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), are poised to alter screening. Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, CEO of City X-Ray & Scan Clinic, referred to AI-driven radiology and low-dose CT scans as "game changers" for lung cancer diagnosis. "Equipping centres with digital pathology and genetic tools will accelerate diagnoses," he said, proposing for public-private partnerships (PPP) to improve affordability.
Alarmingly, non-smokers are developing lung cancer, which is linked to air pollution. Dr. Ruchi Singh of the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences stated that "robotic surgery and LDCT scans reduce mortality by 15-20%." Screenings in high-risk locations must be expanded urgently.
Breakthroughs in precision medicine, immunotherapy, and targeted medicine promise personalised care. Dr. Pratik Patil of Jupiter Hospital in Pune stated, "Genetic profiling ensures that smaller towns receive metro-level care." Customs duty waivers on 36 medications will reduce prices.
Nonetheless, prevention is critical. Asian Hospital's Dr. Vibhor Sharma identified tobacco as the "biggest preventable cause," accounting for 40% of cases. "We need policy action and global cooperation to curb consumption," he told the audience. Dr. Amit Upadhyay of PSRI Hospital noted, "Lifestyle changes, diet, and regular screenings can help to mitigate risks exacerbated by pollution and sedentary habits."
While the three-year 'United by Unique' campaign promotes awareness and action, experts warn that success is dependent on execution. Dr. Upadhyay underscored the importance of prioritising early detection, AI diagnostics, and rehabilitation. Community involvement and persistent investment are both essential.
Dr. Giri warned, "Never ignore symptoms such as weight loss or abnormal bleeding." Early intervention saves lives. Meanwhile, Dr. Sharma praised the budget commitments but advocated for stronger tobacco laws.
India's cancer treatment approach, which combines nursery centres, technological integration, and policy reforms, represents a paradigm shift towards equity and empathy. However, inequities in access, late diagnosis, and environmental dangers continue. According to Dr. Gupta, "Collaboration between providers, policymakers, and communities is key." By uniting behind personalised care, India has the potential to turn cancer from a "death sentence" to a tolerable condition, honouring not only the "United by Unique" theme but also the human stories behind each diagnosis..