India’s cancer care landscape reflects atroubling paradox. While medical expertise, technology, and advanced treatments continue to improve, a large number of patients still reach hospitals too late. Experts say thereal crisis is not just rising cancer cases, but late cancer detection in India, which is significantly increasing mortality.
According to Dr. Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director and Chief Hematology, Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, the real crisis is not just rising cases, but delayed diagnosis, which is driving higher mortality rates across the country. “Many people are still unaware of early symptoms. Regular screening is not a common habit. Access to care is uneven, especially in smaller towns and rural regions. Financial concerns also delay decisions. All of this leads to a worrying pattern,” he said.
Dr. Bhargava says around 70 per cent of cancer cases in India are detected at advanced stages, compared to global trends where most cancers are diagnosed early. This delay significantly reduces survival rates and limits treatment options. Several factors contribute to this pattern:
For blood cancers, timing becomes even more critical. Delayed diagnosis can reduce eligibility for life-saving procedures like bone marrow transplants, as patients may become too weak or the disease too advanced. “This is why treatment alone cannot carry the weight of cancer care. Screening must become a normal part of health behaviour. It should not depend on visible discomfort. It should be seen as preventive care rather than a response to illness. This shift requires both awareness and accessibility,” said Dr. Bhargava.
When there are no early symptoms, very serious conditions like cancer quietly progress without noticeable warning signs. Dr. Rajshekar C Jaka, Oncology Director (Zone 2), Senior Surgical Oncologist & Robotic Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, highlights that ignoring even subtle symptoms can delay diagnosis, making treatment more complex and reducing survival chances significantly. “The most dangerous symptom is often no pain at all,” he said.
“One of the biggest reasons mandible cancers get missed is because they often don’t hurt in the early stages. However, early detection is everything. When identified early, treatment can be much simpler, sometimes just a minor surgical procedure. It may help avoid intensive treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and even prevent major reconstructive surgeries,” he said.
Conditions like jaw or oral cancers may show subtle signs such as mild gum bleeding or jaw discomfort, which are frequently overlooked. Early detection can mean simpler treatment and better outcomes.
Dr. Bhuvan Chugh, Principal Consultant – Medical Oncology, Max Hospital, highlights that a critical issue is that non-smokers often delay seeking care because they assume they are not at risk. Symptoms like persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain, hoarseness, unexplained weight loss, or coughing up blood should never be ignored. Delayed evaluation is a major reason why many lung cancer cases are diagnosed late. “Non-smokers often delay seeking medical attention because they do not consider themselves at risk. A cough lasting more than three weeks, persistent breathlessness, chest pain, hoarseness, unexplained weight loss, or coughing up blood should never be ignored,” he said.
Experts emphasize that cancer screening in India must become a routine health practice, not a last resort. Key steps include:
Blood tests are becoming an important tool in early cancer detection and screening, helping identify warning signs before symptoms appear. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) can detect blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, while tumor marker tests, such as PSA and CA-125, measure specific substances linked to cancer activity. Blood protein tests can reveal abnormal protein levels seen in conditions like multiple myeloma.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
