Cancer Burden, Mortality, and Survivorship Care in India

The cancer landscape in India is defined by a heavy burden of disease, stark mortality disparities, and significant gaps in survivorship care. Despite lower cancer incidence rates compared with high-income countries, the region experiences disproportionately high mortality rates due to late diagnoses, limited healthcare infrastructure, and widespread inequities in access to treatment.

Distinctive risk factors, such as tobacco use and infection-related malignancies, further intensify the burden. Survivorship care remains underdeveloped, with cultural stigmas and systemic barriers compounding the challenges faced by cancer survivors.

This review synthesizes the state of knowledge on cancer incidence, mortality, and survivorship care across India and other parts of Asia, presenting insights from epidemiological studies, projections, and qualitative data.

Addressing these challenges will require an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that strengthens prevention, reduces morbidity and mortality, and improves survivorship outcomes tailored to regional realities.