Cancer spreading beyond metros
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Even as cancer cases are also rising in smaller cities in India, health experts stressed the need to expand oncology services to the country's tier-II cities.
Cancer diagnosis, treatment should be made accessible to the greatest number of people, especially those in the smaller cities, said the experts at the recently concluded two-day scientific conference IO-CON2024 held by the International Oncology Cancer Institute (IOCI) in the national capital.
"Of the almost 14 lakh new cancer cases diagnosed in India every year, more than 60 per cent get diagnosed in advanced stages which underscores the need for enhancing the awareness and diagnosis," said Shubham Garg, Director of Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Noida.
"In India, there are more than 640 radiation therapy equipment, but because the country is now experiencing a 5-7 per cent annual growth in cancer cases, the number of machines needs to be scaled up 1,400 as per WHO.
