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Rachel V Thomas

Cancer Should Be Made Notifiable In India, Say Experts: Here’s Why

<span>India</span> is facing a significant and growing <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span> burden, with the latest National Cancer Registry Programme study estimating that the lifetime risk of developing cancer in the country is 11% — about one in nine people.

The 2025 study also found that India ranks second in Asia and third globally in cancer incidence.

<h2>SC Directs States To Notify Cancer</h2>

Around 17 states in India have already made cancer a notifiable disease, while the <span>Supreme Court</span> in August directed the remaining 19 states and Union Territories to comply with the requirement, aimed at enabling early detection and proper care of patients.

The petition before the court argued that the continued non-notification of cancer, despite its alarming and escalating burden in India, amounted to a grave abdication of the state's constitutional duty under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. It said this denied uniform treatment to similarly situated citizens and undermined their fundamental right to health and a life of dignity.

The Supreme Court's order is legally binding on the remaining 19 states and Union Territories, which have until November 11, 2026, to comply with the directive.

By the deadline, the concerned administrations are required to transition cancer into a notifiable disease and formally submit their progress reports to the Supreme Court. States will also need to issue official Gazette notifications requiring public and private healthcare entities to report cancer cases and related data.

Speaking to HealthandMe, experts said making cancer notifiable could strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data collection and support research and treatment planning.

Dr Karishma Kirti, Consultant Obstetrician &amp; Gynaecologist, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, said cancer should be treated as a notifiable disease, but through a system different from the traditional notification process used for infectious diseases.

<h2>How Cancer Registration Can Help</h2>

Dr Kirti told HealthandMe that mandatory registration of cancer cases could help India understand cancer trends and generate more real-world data to guide research.

“Mandatory registration of cancer cases will in the future help in understanding trends, generating real-world data early, and guiding research. Most of the evidence-based medicine and treatment that we recommend comes from Western data and mandating cancer registration will help India generate its own data and understand the inherent characteristics of Indian cancers better.”

<h2><span rel="noindex">Notifying <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">Cancer</a></span> Could Strengthen Cancer Care</h2>

Dr Harit K Chaturvedi, CEO &amp; Clinical Head, Apollo Oncology Network, said making cancer a notifiable disease could help improve cancer care and research as the country's cancer burden rises.

“No two cancers are the same and the disease cannot be fought in silos. As the burden of cancer cases is increasing, wherein India is projected to record 1.5 million cases in 2026, declaring cancer as a notifiable disease can enable better cancer care and research across India,” he told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

Chaturvedi said notification of cancer would also give impetus to the decades-old National Cancer Registry Program and enable proper and mandatory record-keeping of cancer cases, as seen in many developed nations.

“By making cancer a notifiable disease, we can ensure that all cancer cases are reported and documented accurately, enabling us to track cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates.”

Importantly, he said, notification would also enable policymakers, healthcare providers and researchers to work with real-time data, which could help bring more awareness, strengthen prevention and early detection, and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.

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India is facing a significant and growing cancer burden, with the latest National Cancer Registry Programme study estimating that the lifetime risk of developing cancer in the country is 11% — about one in nine people.The 2025 study also found that India ranks second in Asia and third globally in cancer incidence.SC Directs States To Notify CancerAround 17 states in India have already made cancer a notifiable disease, while the Supreme Court in August directed the remaining 19 states and Union Territories to comply with the requirement, aimed at enabling early detection and proper care of patients.The petition before the court argued that the continued non-notification of cancer, despite its alarming and escalating burden in India, amounted to a grave abdication of the state's constitutional duty under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. It said this denied uniform treatment to similarly situated citizens and undermined their fundamental right to health and a life of dignity.The Supreme Court's order is legally binding on the remaining 19 states and Union Territories, which have until November 11, 2026, to comply with the directive.By the deadline, the concerned administrations are required to transition cancer into a notifiable disease and formally submit their progress reports to the Supreme Court. States will also need to issue official Gazette notifications requiring public and private healthcare entities to report cancer cases and related data.Why Cancer Notification MattersSpeaking to HealthandMe, experts said making cancer notifiable could strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data collection and support research and treatment planning.Dr Karishma Kirti, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, said cancer should be treated as a notifiable disease, but through a system different from the traditional notification process used for infectious diseases.How Cancer Registration Can HelpDr Kirti told HealthandMe that mandatory registration of cancer cases could help India understand cancer trends and generate more real-world data to guide research.“Mandatory registration of cancer cases will in the future help in understanding trends, generating real-world data early, and guiding research. Most of the evidence-based medicine and treatment that we recommend comes from Western data and mandating cancer registration will help India generate its own data and understand the inherent characteristics of Indian cancers better.”Notifying Cancer Could Strengthen Cancer CareDr Harit K Chaturvedi, CEO & Clinical Head, Apollo Oncology Network, said making cancer a notifiable disease could help improve cancer care and research as the country's cancer burden rises.“No two cancers are the same and the disease cannot be fought in silos. As the burden of cancer cases is increasing, wherein India is projected to record 1.5 million cases in 2026, declaring cancer as a notifiable disease can enable better cancer care and research across India,” he told HealthandMe.Chaturvedi said notification of cancer would also give impetus to the decades-old National Cancer Registry Program and enable proper and mandatory record-keeping of cancer cases, as seen in many developed nations.“By making cancer a notifiable disease, we can ensure that all cancer cases are reported and documented accurately, enabling us to track cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates.”Importantly, he said, notification would also enable policymakers, healthcare providers and researchers to work with real-time data, which could help bring more awareness, strengthen prevention and early detection, and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.

cancer should be made notifiable in india, say experts: here’s why

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