A ‘cancer atlas’ will soon be prepared for Andhra Pradesh based on cancer case registrations from all regions of the state, cancer expert and adviser to the AP government Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu.
Dr. Dattatreyudu chaired the fifth advisory meeting on the burden of cancer at the Department of Health and Family Welfare headquarters in Mangalagiri: “This atlas will be created using baseline data and will help in planning prevention strategies, raising public awareness and improving medical infrastructure. It will soon be presented to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Kumar Yadav and Health Minister Sadava.”
Data from government and private hospitals and from NCD 4.0 (NCD 4.0) screenings will be combined to prepare the atlas. Information from patients treated under Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust will provide a clearer picture of regional cancer trends, he added.
He noted that organizations like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) publish estimates based only on sample data, but continued collection of state-level data would provide reliable, baseline statistics. He advised officials to ensure that there is no delay in sending those under investigation for further tests and insisted that details of treatment wherever received should be recorded by medical personnel.
He emphasized on creating awareness about preventive oncology wards in teaching hospitals and ensuring that patients from villages are prioritized in these wards through the ‘green channel’.
High load in urban areas
CEO Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust Dinesh Kumar informed that cancer cases were mostly higher in urban areas. Since the inception of the trust (2006–07), 3,29,183 cancer patients have received treatment under the trust, with the government spending ₹4,616 crore. Detailed reports are prepared using these patient records, he said.
Director of Secondary Health K. Chakradhar Babu said that nine chemotherapy day care centers are currently functioning in the district hospitals and the number of patients is increasing and more such centers will be set up.
Health Commissioner Veerapandian, who joined the meeting virtually, said the department would soon hold a special conference with private oncologists and was determined to implement the suggestions given by Dr. Dattatreyudu.
Progress under NCD 4.0
NCD Joint Program Director Shyamala said that under NCD 4.0, 45.68 lakh oral cancer screenings have been conducted, breast and cervical cancer screenings for women are ongoing and individuals needing re-screening have been referred to primary care physicians who then refer them to preventive oncology departments if needed.
Published – 14 Nov 2025 21:04 IST
