“Rising Cancer Cases in Chennai Demand Urgent Focus on Early Detection, Rural Access, and Innovation-Driven Care”
Chennai, June 10, 2025: Recent trends have brought a disturbing reality to light — cancer cases are steadily rising across Tamil Nadu, and Chennai is among the cities reporting high incidence, particularly of breast, cervical, and oral cancers. Health experts are now calling for a more localized, inclusive, and innovation-driven approach to tackle the growing burden.
According to the Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Programme (TNCRP) 2020, over 88,000 new cancer cases were projected by 2022. In Chennai alone, healthcare providers are seeing a steady uptick in patients — especially working-age individuals between 35–64 years old, whose lives and livelihoods are directly affected.
Dr. B. Suresh Kumar, Medical Oncologist at Kauvery Hospital, noted, “The TNCRP data is a wake-up call for Chennai and beyond. We’re seeing an increase in breast and cervical cancers among women, and oral and lung cancers among men — most of which are linked to preventable lifestyle factors. We must prioritize early screening, preventive education, and access to the latest treatment options, especially in suburban and rural belts where care is often inaccessible.”
He emphasized the need to move beyond urban-centric healthcare: “Care is still concentrated in large cities like Chennai and Coimbatore, but we must act now to extend oncology services to under-equipped areas. Only then can we ensure timely diagnosis and reduce mortality rates.”
Patient advocacy organizations are echoing this call. Mridu Gupta, CEO of CAPED India, added, “Cancer is not just a disease; it’s a household crisis — especially cervical cancer, which affects women who are caregivers and primary earners. Community-led screening using mobile units and trained local workers is vital. The focus should shift toward awareness, early diagnosis, and trust-building within communities.”
Experts also recommend greater investment in AI-led screening tools, public-private collaborations, and integrating next-gen therapies into health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat and CMCHIS in Tamil Nadu.
As cases continue to climb in key urban hubs, doctors, patient advocates, and public health experts are urging state policymakers to set up a dedicated cancer care fund and build a long-term, inclusive strategy rooted in prevention, decentralization, and innovation.