Steady rise in cancer cases in Telangana as doctors stress early detection ahead of World Cancer Day

Telangana has recorded a steady rise in cancer cases over the past decade, increasing from 40,177 in 2015 to 52,334 in 2024, signalling a growing public health burden in the State. The figures were shared in the Lok Sabha in during the winter session of Parliament last December.

With World Cancer Day on February 4, oncologists say the upward trend highlights the urgent need to strengthen early detection, screening and awareness efforts across Telangana.

“For the first time, more early-stage cancer cases are being seen. That is a good sign,” said Nori Dattatreyudu, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Adviser to the Telangana government on cancer care.

While certain pockets in Telangana are reporting higher incidence, there is a encouraging shift in patient behaviour, he said, adding that this reflects improved public awareness and the impact of sustained outreach programmes.

According to him, patients are increasingly seeking medical advice at earlier stages rather than waiting until Stage 3 or Stage 4. “That means awareness programmes are working,” he observed.

At the MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre in Hyderabad — the largest government cancer hospital catering to patients from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — doctors say the increase is evident in the daily influx of patients.

Sandhya Rani Nippani, associate professor of Radiation Oncology at MNJ, said the hospital registers around 100 new cancer cases each day, amounting to nearly 13,000 new registrations annually. These include both paediatric and adult patients, as well as blood malignancies and solid tumours.

Among adults, head and neck cancers linked to tobacco chewing continue to be highly prevalent in the region. “We see very advanced head and neck cancer patients. Breast cancer cases are also common. Although cervical cancer is largely preventable and curable if detected early, many women are reaching the hospital in Stage 3 or Stage 4,” she said.

Dr Sandhya attributed the late presentation largely to socio-economic factors. “There is neglect and they are not aware that screening is going on for cervical and breast cancer,” she said. She stressed that expanding screening coverage is critical. “If we detect it early, we can cure it,” she added, underlining the importance of scaling up routine screening, particularly in the context of World Cancer Day.

Echoing the call for greater awareness, Geetha Nagasree N., senior surgical oncologist and associate clinical director at Care Hospitals, said breast cancer has emerged as the most common cancer among women in Telangana, while oral cancer remains a major concern among men. “A woman may ignore a breast lump while a man may overlook a non-healing oral ulcer. Each delay is shaped by personal circumstances. Understanding these unique barriers is essential if we are to truly support patients,” she said.

She also noted that cancer is no longer viewed as a single, uniform disease but as a spectrum of disorders that differ in biology, stage and response to treatment. Advances in oncology, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, organ-preserving surgeries and precision radiation, have improved outcomes for many patients. “Two patients with the same stage of breast cancer, for instance, may receive entirely different treatment protocols based on molecular subtypes and receptor status,” she added.