The Core Report #595 India’s Hidden Cancer Crisis: Why Thousands Die Without Treatment
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May 30, 2025 Join Dr. KS Sharma, a former senior anesthesiologist at Tata Memorial Hospital, as he exposes the staggering cancer crisis in India. With over 1.5 million new cases annually, he highlights that 60% of patients lack access to treatment due to infrastructure gaps and high costs. Dr. Sharma discusses the acute shortage of trained oncologists, disparities between urban and rural healthcare, and the urgent need for policy reforms. His insights shed light on the critical issues affecting cancer care and the road ahead for better health equity.
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Oncology Insight from Anesthesiology
- Dr. KS Sharma learned about oncology through anesthesia and post-op care at Tata Memorial Hospital.
- He noticed cancer patients' unique needs due to prior radiation and chemotherapy effects during surgeries.
Comprehensive Cancer Care Needs
- India faces 1.4 to 1.5 million cancer cases annually with rising mortality close to 850,000.
- Comprehensive cancer care requires surgical, medical, radiation oncology, oncopathology, and palliative care specialties.
Major Cancer Types & Prognoses
- The four major cancers in India are head and neck, breast, gastrointestinal, and gynecological cancers.
- Pediatric hematolymphoid cancers have better survival than adults due to fewer comorbidities.