Racing Against Cancer

Cancer is entering a new era. The World Health Organization estimates that global cancer cases could nearly double by 2050, driven by ageing populations and unhealthy lifestyles. Yet, doctors say there has never been more reason for hope. Advances in AI, early detection, precision medicine, immunotherapy and targeted therapies are transforming cancer care. The real challenge is ensuring these life-saving innovations are affordable and accessible to everyone.

A completely new era

Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, Founder and Chairman of AIG Hospitals, says cancer care has evolved more in the past two decades than at any other time in modern medicine. “We can now combine advanced imaging, genomic profiling, molecular pathology, robotic surgery, precision radiation, targeted therapies and immunotherapy to understand not just where a cancer is located, but what is driving it and how it is likely to respond,” he explains. Despite the projected rise in cancer cases, Dr Reddy remains optimistic. “The projected rise in cancer cases is undoubtedly a formidable challenge. But we are better prepared than ever before to confront it.”

AI: The next big revolution

Dr Nageshwar Reddy says the next leap in cancer care will come from artificial intelligence. “AI can connect radiology, pathology, genomics and treatment outcomes to detect disease earlier and predict treatment response,” he says, adding that AIG is developing AI algorithms for Indian patients. He also highlights advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, proton therapy and precision radiation as key drivers of personalised cancer care.

Prevention before precision

Dr Guru N. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Continental Hospitals, believes India’s biggest opportunity lies much earlier. He says healthcare must invest heavily in prevention and organised screening. Routine clinical breast examinations, mammography, Pap smears, stool FIT tests, colonoscopy, CT scans for long-term smokers and HPV and Hepatitis B vaccination can reduce cancer deaths. “Those with a strong family history should also undergo genetic counselling and surveillance,” he says, pointing that many of these screening tools are available across Tier I and Tier II cities.

The age of personalised medicine

According to Dr Nikhil Suresh Ghadyalpatil, Director, Medical Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, understanding the genetic profile of a tumour allows doctors to choose treatments most likely to work. Targeted therapies attack specific genetic mutations. Immunotherapy enables the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.CAR-T cell therapy has transformed outcomes for certain blood cancers. “The future of oncology lies in matching the right treatment to the right patient at the right time,” says Dr Nikhil.

Beyond Chemotherapy

· Cancer treatment is becoming less invasive and more precise.

· Robotic surgery offers greater precision with faster recovery.

· Modern LINAC systems and proton therapy target tumours while sparing healthy tissue.

· Liquid biopsies help monitor treatment response and detect recurrence through a simple blood test.

· New RAS-targeted therapies are showing promise even in pancreatic cancer.

Tech alone will not save lives

Dr Rigved Nittala, Senior Consultant, Oncology, Medicover Hospitals, says innovation can only make a difference if patients reach hospitals early. Lifestyle changes remain the single biggest weapon. Avoiding tobacco, maintaining healthy body weight, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol intake, eating nutritious food and taking recommended vaccinations continue to prevent a significant proportion of cancers. “The future will belong not to one miracle cure but to prevention, early diagnosis, personalised treatment and equal access to quality care,” says Dr Rigved Nittala.

WHO projects cancer cases could nearly double by 2050.

· AI is improving diagnosis, treatment planning and drug discovery.

· Precision oncology is replacing one-size-fits-all treatment.

· Immunotherapy and CAR-T therapy are changing survival outcomes.

· Liquid biopsies enable earlier detection and monitoring.

· Robotic surgery and proton therapy improve precision.

· Prevention and screening remain the most powerful tools.

Biggest breakthroughs

AI-assisted diagnosis

· Detects abnormalities on scans faster and more accurately.

Liquid biopsy

· A blood test that detects tumour DNA and monitors treatment.

Precision oncology

· Uses genomic profiling to personalise therapy.

Targeted therapy

· Attacks cancer-specific genetic mutations.

Immunotherapy

· Activates the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

CAR-T Cell Therapy

· Engineered immune cells used for certain blood cancers.

mRNA Cancer Vaccines

· Personalised vaccines currently under clinical development.

Robotic Surgery

· Greater surgical precision with faster recovery.

Precision Radiation

· High-dose radiation that spares healthy tissue.

Prevention still saves the most lives

· Quit tobacco

· Maintain healthy weight

· Exercise regularly

· Eat a balanced diet

· HPV vaccination

· Hepatitis B vaccination

· Mammography after recommended age

· Pap smear

· Colon cancer screening

· Lung CT screening for high-risk smokers

Quotes

We no longer treat only the tumour. We treat the biology of the tumour. Artificial intelligence will help detect cancer earlier, predict treatment response and accelerate drug discovery. Technology alone cannot win this battle. Prevention, screening and early diagnosis are equally important.”

—Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy

“India must shift its focus from treating advanced cancers to preventing and detecting them early. Screening programmes and preventive vaccines can save far more lives than many people realise.”

— Dr Guru N. Reddy

“Precision oncology is replacing the one-size-fits-all approach to cancer treatment. Immunotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy are changing outcomes once considered untreatable. mRNA cancer vaccines represent one of the most exciting frontiers in oncology.”

— Dr Nikhil Suresh Ghadyalpatil

“There is no single miracle cure for cancer. Every patient’s journey is different. The future of oncology lies in combining innovation with equitable access to quality care.”

— Dr Rigved Nittala