Andhra Pradesh Grapples with Rising Cancer Burden: 1.6 Lakh Cases in Five Years
A comprehensive cancer atlas for Andhra Pradesh has revealed alarming statistics about the state's growing cancer crisis. According to the draft document prepared and submitted by Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, a renowned cancer specialist and government advisor on cancer care, Andhra Pradesh recorded nearly 1.6 lakh cancer cases over the last five years from 2021 to 2025.
Steady Year-on-Year Increase in Cancer Incidence
The data shows a concerning steady year-on-year rise in cancer cases across the state. In 2025 alone, Andhra Pradesh recorded 35,658 new cancer cases, a figure that experts expect to climb further in the coming years. This persistent upward trend highlights the urgent need for enhanced cancer prevention and management strategies.
District-Wise Distribution and Gender Disparity
The cancer burden is not evenly distributed across Andhra Pradesh. Kakinada reported the highest number of cases at 8,101, followed closely by Vizianagaram with 7,987 cases. Other districts with significant caseloads include Guntur (7,479), Tirupati (7,205), Nellore (7,115), and Visakhapatnam (7,205).
Perhaps most striking is the significant gender skew in cancer incidence. Women account for nearly 65% of all reported cancer cases in the state, indicating a disproportionate disease burden on the female population that requires targeted intervention strategies.
Treatment Patterns Reflect Late Detection Challenges
The treatment landscape in Andhra Pradesh reveals critical challenges in cancer care. Most patients in the state receive medical management, including chemotherapy and systemic therapy, which accounts for approximately 82% of cases. Radiation therapy is utilized in about 11% of cases, though access varies significantly depending on district-level availability of facilities.
Surgical treatment remains limited to around 7% of cases, a pattern that experts attribute to late-stage detection in many patients and limited surgical oncology capacity in certain parts of the state. This treatment distribution underscores the need for earlier diagnosis and expanded surgical capabilities.
Substantial Financial Burden of Cancer Care
The economic impact of cancer in Andhra Pradesh is staggering. Between 2021 and 2025, the state recorded around 12.6 lakh cancer episodes with an estimated expenditure of Rs 3,061 crore. District-wise spending reveals the highest allocations in Guntur (Rs 188.3 crore), Vizianagaram (Rs 150.8 crore), Srikakulam (Rs 145 crore), Kakinada (Rs 143.6 crore), and Visakhapatnam (Rs 140 crore).
Government Response and Policy Initiatives
Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, who lost both his mother and sister to cancer, has made cancer care a personal and professional priority. "After becoming health minister, I placed the first signature on the cancer screening file," Yadav stated, emphasizing his commitment to addressing this public health challenge.
The state government has formulated a comprehensive cancer care strategy encompassing health education, awareness campaigns, prevention programs, screening initiatives, and early detection protocols. Key components of this strategy include:
- Strengthening affordable and accessible cancer care through a hub-and-spoke model
- Expanding pain management and palliative care services
- Providing cashless cancer treatment under the Dr NTR Vaidya Seva scheme
- Covering approximately 20 types of cancer under the free healthcare programme
Cancer Patterns and Healthcare Infrastructure
Dr Umesh M Mahantshetty, director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Visakhapatnam, identified specific cancer patterns prevalent in Andhra Pradesh. "Cancer patterns in AP show a predominance of head and neck, breast, lung, gynaecological, and gastrointestinal cancers," he explained.
The hospital registers around 9,000 new cancer patients annually, with many traveling long distances from rural and semi-urban regions of Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states. As the second state chapter in India under the national cancer grid, the AP chapter secretariat at HBCH&RC plays a crucial role in education, training, research, and service delivery to strengthen cancer care across the state.
Future Goals and Challenges
By 2030, Andhra Pradesh aims to establish a comprehensive, affordable, and accessible cancer care ecosystem that reduces dependence on out-of-state treatment centers. Achieving this ambitious goal will require:
- Substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure
- Expanded cancer screening programs across all districts
- Robust public awareness initiatives about prevention and early detection
- Strong financial protection mechanisms for affected families
The draft cancer atlas has successfully renewed focus on the growing cancer burden in Andhra Pradesh, serving as both a wake-up call and a roadmap for future action. As cases continue to rise, the state faces the dual challenge of managing current patients while implementing preventive measures to curb future incidence.
