India reports 15,000 new cancer cases annually, focus on prevention and early diagnosis, says Anupriya Patel

Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute’s Silver Jubilee celebrations were held in Hyderabad on Monday, June 22 | Photo credit: Special arrangement

With nearly 15 million new cancer cases reported annually in India, early detection and prevention remains India’s biggest weapon against the rising cancer burden, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said on Monday.

Addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of Indo-American Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad, Ms. Patel described the institution as a shining example of compassionate care, selfless service and social commitment.

She described cancer as a major public health problem and said advances in prevention, medical technology and treatment have improved survival rates and patient outcomes. However, changing lifestyles and environmental factors continued to contribute to the increasing incidence of the disease. “The real challenge facing us today is not only providing affordable and quality treatment, but also preventing cancer and detecting it at an early stage,” she said, adding that early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who addressed the gathering virtually, said the hospital’s 25-year journey reflects former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao’s vision of providing affordable cancer treatment while promoting medical education and research in oncology. “The institute, which started with 100 beds, has grown into a 650-bed hospital equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities and supported by a team of more than 250 surgical, medical and radiation oncology specialists,” he said.

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said that cancer is one of the most significant non-communicable diseases facing the society and noted that changing lifestyle, dietary habits and environmental factors are contributing to the increasing number of cases.

“Telangana has declared cancer a notifiable disease and established a cancer registry and a dedicated cancer portal for reporting cases. Cancer care centers have also been set up in teaching hospitals at the district headquarters to ensure that patients have access to treatment closer to their homes,” he added.

Hospital chairman and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna said the institution measured its success not in numbers but in lives transformed and families reunited. Support from philanthropists and donors enabled the establishment of modern radiation facilities and the first bone marrow transplant program in South India, which has emerged as one of the most respected programs in the region.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recalled that specialized cancer treatment facilities were scarce when the hospital was established and that patients often faced immense difficulties in accessing care. After the death of his wife Basavatarakam, the late NT Rama Rao envisioned an institution that would provide advanced cancer treatment regardless of the patient’s economic status.

Crediting Mr. Balakrishna for transforming the institution, Mr. Naidu said the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital has evolved into a temple for cancer patients and a symbol of hope and healing for thousands of families.

Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, several other dignitaries and cancer survivors were also present on the occasion.

Published – 22 Jun 2026 22:07 IST