New Delhi: India needs a strong national strategy to ensure that more cancer patients can benefit from the latest medical treatments, according to leading oncologists and healthcare experts. They say that although major advances have been made in cancer care across the world, many patients in India are still unable to access these life saving therapies because of high treatment costs, limited diagnostic facilities and unequal healthcare services.
The issue was highlighted during discussions at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting 2026, where experts from India and other countries spoke about the rapid progress in cancer treatment. They said that modern therapies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy and precision medicine are improving survival rates and offering better quality of life for many patients. However, these treatments remain out of reach for a large number of people in India.
Doctors explained that cancer treatment is becoming increasingly personalised. Instead of treating every patient in the same way, doctors now use advanced genetic and biomarker tests to identify the most effective treatment for each individual. While this approach has shown promising results, these specialised tests are still not widely available across the country, especially in smaller cities and rural areas.
Experts believe India should develop a coordinated national plan to improve access to advanced diagnostic testing, strengthen cancer research, expand specialised treatment centres and provide wider insurance coverage for modern medicines. They say such a strategy would help reduce the gap in cancer care between urban and rural regions and ensure that more patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.
The high cost of advanced cancer medicines continues to be one of the biggest challenges. Immunotherapy and targeted drugs have transformed the treatment of several types of cancer, but many patients cannot afford them. Doctors have pointed to biosimilar medicines as an important solution. These medicines work in a similar way to the original biologic drugs but are available at a much lower cost, making treatment more affordable for many families.
Healthcare experts say the increasing availability of biosimilar medicines has already improved access to cancer treatment in India. Patient support programmes introduced by pharmaceutical companies and hospitals have also helped reduce the financial burden for some patients. Even so, many families still face serious financial difficulties while undergoing long term cancer treatment.
India continues to witness a rising number of cancer cases every year. Breast cancer, lung cancer, oral cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer remain among the most common forms of the disease. Doctors say that many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage because of limited awareness and inadequate screening programmes. They stress that early detection is just as important as access to advanced medicines in improving survival rates.
The government has taken some steps to strengthen cancer care by promoting research and encouraging domestic production of biologic medicines and biosimilars. Recent budget measures aimed at supporting the biotechnology sector and reducing the cost of certain cancer medicines are expected to improve access over time. Experts, however, believe that much more needs to be done through sustained public investment, better insurance coverage and stronger healthcare infrastructure.
Another issue highlighted by specialists is the need to maintain a steady supply of essential cancer medicines. Recent shortages of some chemotherapy drugs have shown the importance of ensuring uninterrupted availability of both conventional and modern treatments across the country.
Cancer specialists believe India has the medical expertise, scientific talent and pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to become a global leader in advanced cancer care. They say the country now needs a comprehensive national strategy that combines innovation with affordability, strengthens healthcare systems and ensures that every patient, regardless of where they live or their financial condition, has access to the latest and most effective cancer treatments.