Odisha’s rising cancer burden calls for early detection, equitable access to advanced therapies, and a dedicated state cancer care fund
Jajpur : Odisha is witnessing a rising cancer burden, with increasing incidence and late-stage presentation placing mounting strain on families and the health system. Oral, breast, cervical, GI cancers and lung cancers remain among the leading threats, underscoring the need for timely screening, early diagnosis, and uninterrupted, evidence-based treatment.
The Government of Odisha has long prioritized Universal Health Coverage. To expand access to hospital-based care and shield vulnerable families from catastrophic health expenditure, the state implemented the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), covering major specialties including oncology. Families receive annual coverage of INR 5 lakh, with an additional INR 5 lakh for women beneficiaries once the initial limit is exhausted. Initially aligned with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY packages, Odisha recently introduced a state-specific oncology package that adds multiple innovative therapies across multiple innovative therapies procedures, making Odisha the first state in India to take this step under a state insurance scheme. As cancer care evolves, ensuring efficient use of these benefits is critical so eligible patients can start and complete full treatment courses that improve outcomes.
Urgent burden indicators from Odisha highlight the need for earlier detection and sustained treatment continuity. Approximately 60% of cancer patients in the state die within a year of diagnosis, largely due to late detection and delays in care, while an estimated 60,000 new cancer cases are recorded annually. These figures reflect substantial unmet needs and the human cost of late presentation. In Khordha, the population-based cancer registry recorded over 1,600 incident cases in 2022 (49.5% male, 50.5% female). Among men, the most common sites were mouth, stomach, lung, tongue, and prostate; among women, breast, ovary, cervix uteri, stomach, and gallbladder. National projections from the ICMR–National Cancer Registry Programme indicate about a 13% increase in India’s total cancer burden between 2020 and 2025, with one in nine Indians likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. Together, these trends heighten the urgency of policies that protect treatment continuity and deliver better value for money.
Dr. Saroj Das Majumdar, HOD Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said,” Since 2022, cancer has been a reportable disease in Odisha, requiring all diagnosed cases to be notified within two weeks. GJAY has been a lifeline for many families, and the state-specific oncology package is a commendable advance. Yet current ceilings pose challenges to adopting and continuing advanced therapies for the recommended duration. Without expanded financial protection, patients risk incomplete treatment, directly affecting survival and quality of life. Strengthening coverage will enable earlier initiation and appropriate continuity of care, improving outcomes and reducing long-term hospitalization costs. Financial ceilings must not become treatment ceilings.”
