Tue Feb 04 22:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Nationwide Campaign Pushes for Cancer to be Notifiable Disease in India

**KOLKATA, February 5, 2025** – A coalition of leading medical organizations launched a nationwide campaign on World Cancer Day urging the Indian government to classify cancer as a notifiable disease. The “Unify to Notify” initiative, spearheaded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Cancer Society, Apollo Cancer Centres, and Family Physician Associations, aims to improve cancer detection, management, and research.

Campaign organizers argue that designating cancer as a notifiable disease would enable real-time data collection and more accurate reporting, allowing for a better understanding of cancer’s prevalence and impact. This data would facilitate the development of standardized treatment protocols and targeted interventions, potentially placing India at the forefront of global oncology research.

According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, India saw an estimated 1,461,427 new cancer cases in 2022, with projections indicating a 12.8% increase by 2025 compared to 2020.

Dr. Arunabha Sengupta, Honorary Secretary of the Indian Cancer Society, Kolkata, emphasized the initiative’s potential to address gaps in India’s cancer surveillance system. Dr. P. N. Mohapatra, Director of Medical Oncology at Apollo Cancer Centre, Kolkata, highlighted the transformative potential of this move, stating that it could revolutionize cancer care in India.

While several Indian states, including Haryana, Karnataka, Tripura, West Bengal, and Punjab, have already classified cancer as notifiable, nationwide implementation remains pending. A 2022 report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare also recommended this classification. Industry experts are hopeful that the government will pass the necessary legislation during the upcoming Budget Session.

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