Supreme Court mulls making cancer a notifiable disease in India

The Supreme Court has observed that making cancer a notifiable disease could strengthen India's cancer surveillance and improve early detection. Times Now reports that a systematic reporting process would help track cancer incidence, types, geographic spread, and stage at diagnosis, providing valuable data for healthcare planning.

Experts quoted by Times Now say the move could address unequal access to care between metropolitan cities and smaller towns. Dr Jeyhan Dhabhar of Jaslok Hospital noted that patients in remote areas often lack basic diagnostic services and specialist oncologists, requiring families to travel hundreds of kilometres for treatment.

Gauri Navalkar Godse of UE LifeSciences-India cautioned that notification must be linked to action, not just administration. The success of the initiative depends on connecting reporting to clear pathways for diagnosis, referral, and follow-up care, especially in underserved regions.