Indian Cancer Society Calls for Stronger Cancer Care Network Beyond Major Cities

NEW DELHI: The Indian Cancer Society has called for cancer-care services to be expanded across Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities as well as rural areas, stressing the need for stronger links between district hospitals and specialised treatment centres.

The appeal was made during the Indian Cancer Society’s Delhi Annual Seminar on “Bridging Innovation & Affordability in Cancer Care”, which brought together public health specialists, oncologists, hospital representatives, insurers and members of the pharmaceutical industry.

The discussions focused on the challenges involved in making cancer diagnosis and treatment more accessible and affordable. Participants examined the importance of strengthening healthcare systems outside large metropolitan centres, where specialised cancer facilities and advanced treatment options are more concentrated.

The society proposed a greater role for district hospitals in the cancer-care pathway. These facilities could contribute to screening and early detection, provide initial treatment and help identify patients who need to be referred to specialist cancer centres.

A stronger referral system could help connect patients with the level of treatment required at different stages of the disease. Instead of relying exclusively on major hospitals for every aspect of cancer care, district-level facilities could act as an important first point of contact for screening and diagnosis.

The recommendation is particularly relevant for patients living in smaller towns and rural communities, where travelling to major cities for medical consultations can create additional financial and logistical difficulties. Improving local screening and referral services could allow patients to enter the healthcare system closer to home before being directed to specialised facilities when necessary.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who attended the seminar as chief guest, also emphasised the importance of improving connections between different levels of the healthcare system so that patients can receive appropriate treatment at an earlier stage.

Early detection remains an important component of cancer management because identifying disease before it progresses can influence the treatment options available to patients. A decentralised healthcare network can therefore help ensure that people have access to screening and medical evaluation without depending entirely on tertiary hospitals.

The society’s call also highlights the relationship between affordability and accessibility. Even when advanced treatment is available, patients can face difficulties reaching specialised centres or managing the associated costs of repeated travel and prolonged care.

A district-level approach could help divide responsibilities across the healthcare system. Local facilities could undertake screening and basic evaluation, while more complex cases could be transferred through established referral pathways to oncology centres with the necessary expertise and technology.

The seminar’s focus on innovation and affordability also points to the need for healthcare providers, insurers and pharmaceutical companies to work alongside public health institutions. Such coordination can be important in expanding treatment capacity while addressing the financial burden associated with cancer care.

The Indian Cancer Society’s proposal comes at a time when the expansion of cancer services is increasingly being discussed in terms of both infrastructure and accessibility. Building specialised hospitals is only one part of the challenge; connecting those facilities with primary and district-level healthcare services can determine how effectively patients reach them.

Strengthening the referral chain could also improve coordination between doctors working at different levels of the health system. Better communication and standardised processes may help patients move more efficiently from initial screening to specialist assessment and treatment.

The society has therefore placed emphasis on expanding services beyond metropolitan areas rather than concentrating cancer treatment solely in major urban centres. Its recommendations seek to create a wider network in which district hospitals, local healthcare providers and specialist institutions can work together.

The proposed approach would require investment in screening capacity, trained healthcare professionals, diagnostic facilities and referral mechanisms. It would also require continued attention to affordability so that patients are able to complete the recommended treatment after diagnosis.

The discussion at the Delhi seminar reflects a broader healthcare priority: ensuring that improvements in cancer treatment are accompanied by improvements in access. Expanding services to smaller cities and rural communities could help bring screening, diagnosis and referral closer to patients while allowing specialised hospitals to focus on complex cases.