Experts also note that the climb reflects both a genuine rise in cases and improved cancer detection and reporting systems across Tamil Nadu.
Published Dec 16, 2025 | 4:41 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 16, 2025 | 4:41 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: India has become the third-highest country for cancer cases globally with 14.13 lakh cases over the past decade. Tamil Nadu leads South India with 98,386 cases in 2024, a 25% rise since 2015, attributed to better surveillance. This report is the first part of South First’s exclusive series examining the cancer surge in Tamil Nadu and the government’s response to tackle it.
India is now the third country in the world with highest cancer cases, according to the Global Cancer Observatory. Only China and USA have reported higher numbers. Over the past decade, India recorded 14.13 lakh cancer cases, with an incidence rate of 98.5/100,000 population.
The overall trend shows a steady rise in cancer incidence across the country, though 2020 recorded a temporary dip, most likely due to pandemic-related disruptions in hospital visits and diagnostic services.
Once restrictions eased, the numbers rebounded, highlighting the persistent and growing cancer burden.
Against this national backdrop, Tamil Nadu stands out as the state with the highest cancer load in South India. ICMR–NCRP data show that the state registered 78,512 cases in 2015, which increased to 98,386 in 2024, marking nearly a 25 percent rise over a decade.
This makes Tamil Nadu’s burden higher than Karnataka, which reported 94,832 cases in 2024, as well as Andhra Pradesh with 76,708, Kerala with 61,175, and Telangana with 52,334.
Experts note that the climb reflects both a genuine rise in cases and improved cancer detection and reporting systems across the state.
Dr. R. Swaminathan, Associate Director and Professor & Head of the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Cancer Registry at the Adyar Cancer Institute (WIA), emphasised Tamil Nadu’s unique position in South India.
“Tamil Nadu is the only state in southern India to have a state-wide surveillance registry. This is why the figures are available,” he told South First, noting that other states often rely on one or two city-based registries.
He added that if data from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were combined, their cases would likely surpass Tamil Nadu’s reported numbers.
Swaminathan also outlined regional cancer patterns: breast and prostate cancers are higher in urban areas, cervical cancer is more common in rural regions, and colorectal cancer is rising nationwide due to changing diets and lifestyles over the years.
He explained that nearly every district has a medical college, most providing oncology services, though not all offer radiation therapy, meaning patients in some areas must travel for certain treatments.
At the national level, the government has significantly expanded cancer services under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
Over the past several years, an extensive network of State and District NCD Cells, NCD Clinics, cardiac care units, and district-level day-care centres has been established.
Screening for oral, breast, and cervical cancers has been integrated into primary healthcare through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
The government has strengthened cancer care by setting up 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres, rolling out population-based screening under the NP-NCD,
Centre has also strengthened treatment capacity by setting up State Cancer Institutes and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres across the country and by establishing cancer services in all 22 new AIIMS.
For the coming year, 297 new District Day Care Cancer Centres have been approved. The Ministry has begun capacity-building for the rollout of the cervical cancer vaccine, recognising the critical need for early prevention.
Financial protection measures, including the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund and Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, provide substantial support, offering up to ₹15 lakh and ₹5 lakh respectively for eligible patients, stated Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha.
Dr. Swaminathan highlighted several government measures aimed at early detection and treatment. “The government is already running cancer screening programs for cervical, breast, and oral cancers, though uptake is lower than expected,” he said.
He stressed that public education campaigns are crucial to dispel myths and reduce fear of diagnosis, encouraging timely hospital visits.
He also spoke of preventive initiatives, including HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14, ideally before they become sexually active, to curb future cervical cancer cases.
Beyond prevention, the state has expanded oncology departments in medical colleges, installed modern radiotherapy machines in major hospitals, and set up palliative care centers at primary and secondary health facilities.
While access could still improve, he said that these programs place Tamil Nadu ahead of its neighbours.
Speaking to South First, Dr. Surendra Veeraiah, Head of Psychological Oncology, WIA, highlighted ongoing challenges in cancer screening and care.
The Cancer Institute runs population-based early detection programs in five districts—Villupuram, Puthukottai, Devakottai, Gumudipondi, and Chennai—with continuous patient follow-up.
He noted that while the state government recommends district-level screening in all taluk hospitals, the effectiveness on the ground is unclear.
Veeraiah pointed out disparities in access. “Patients have to wait under PM-JAY, whereas under the Chief Minister’s scheme, if you apply today, treatment may begin tomorrow or the day after,” he explained.
Early-stage detection is improving but still limited, with many patients arriving at hospitals at advanced stages. Socioeconomic barriers further influence outcomes.
“When the government says ‘go for screening,’ people have to go. But which people? Are you talking about the educated or high-income groups?” he asked, highlighting the challenges faced by rural and poor populations in accessing health care.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
