CM Releases AP Cancer Atlas, Charts Roadmap for Cancer Control
AP becomes first state to notify cancer as a reportable disease
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday unveiled the Andhra Pradesh Cancer Screening Atlas, marking a significant milestone in the state’s public health journey.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to comprehensive cancer control.
With this initiative, AP has emerged as the first in the country to notify cancer as a reportable disease, enabling systematic tracking, prevention and treatment.
Releasing the atlas along with renowned cancer specialist and government adviser Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, the CM said the initiative would serve as a strong foundation for evidence-based planning and targeted interventions to reduce the cancer burden across the state.
Prepared under the supervision of the health department, the atlas is the outcome of extensive grassroots-level screening conducted across villages and urban localities.
In the first phase alone, cancer screening tests were carried out for about 2.9 crore people, and the data thus collected has been meticulously documented and analysed.
The atlas provides a district-wise and treatment-wise profile of cancer cases, covering surgical, radiation and medical therapies based on information gathered from both men and women across all districts.
Outlining the state’s long-term vision, the Chief Minister said the Vision Statement aimed to ensure access to advanced cancer treatment facilities by 2030, while the Mission Statement focussed on reducing the number of cancer patients through early screening and timely detection.
He emphasised that health education, public awareness, prevention, screening and early diagnosis formed the core pillars of AP’s cancer care strategy.
The atlas has been designed to identify the prevalence and types of cancer across all 28 districts, enabling localised treatment and decentralised care delivery.
At present, AP has 32,657 registered cancer patients. According to estimates by national and global health agencies, cancer cases would rise by about 20 per cent by 2030, underscoring the urgency of proactive measures.
Nori Dattatreyudu noted that this was the first time in the country that a comprehensive cancer atlas had been developed at the state level. By mapping patients, the government would be able to provide day-care chemotherapy and palliative care services through 23 teaching hospitals and district hospitals, ensuring easier access to treatment closer to home.
The CM stressed the importance of preventing cervical cancer among women and suggested mobilising support from various organisations and non-resident Indians for the introduction of HPV vaccination. Sustained awareness campaigns by the government had significantly improved public understanding of cancer, with more people coming forward for preventive screening, he said.
