Why technology, upskilling, and access matter for better cancer care

HYDERABAD: In line with the challenges associated with accessibility, Elekta launched its ACCESS 2025 strategy, which envisions a world where everyone has access to the best cancer care. This comprehensive strategy aims to improve treatment availability, enhance awareness and education, and strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers and organizations.

Cancer, being one of the major health concerns in India, is the second leading cause of death after heart disease. In 2020 alone, there were estimated 13.25 lakh new cases of cancer in the country, resulting in 8.5 lakh cancer-related deaths.

Telangana alone is expected to have more than 53,000 new cancer cases by 2025 as per the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) as the report registered an increase by 12.48% within the next three years, stressing on the importance of the need to address the rising cancer burden.

Since half of all cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy, it is a critical part of the cancer care and therapy infrastructure, as it is the most cost-effective form of therapy, making access to radiotherapeutic facilities crucial.

However, the requirement form radiotherapy has increased significantly in Telangana due to the increased cancer burdened. The World Health Organisation guidelines also suggest that there is a requirement of 1 radiotherapy machine per million people in India.

While we are currently at around 650 machine, at a little less than 0.5 per million, the WHO data suggests that the country needs a total of around 1,400 machines per million people.

Elekta aims to reach out to as many cancer patients  as possible with the in ACCESS 2025 strategy.

Managing Director India and Senior Vice President Intercontinental, Elekta Manikandan Bala said, “Elekta acknowledges the prominent concerns surrounding India's cancer care scenario, including equitable access to care, affordability, the migration of patients to urban cities for treatment, and the shortage of skilled manpower.

“We are committed to addressing these challenges by focusing on key areas such as improving awareness, affordability, and accessibility in cancer care. By working closely with stakeholders and implementing innovative solutions, Elekta aims to make high-quality cancer treatment accessible to all individuals in need,” he added.