South Asian J Cancer. 2014 Jan;3(1):74-7. doi: 10.4103/2278-330X.126542.

Cancer notification in India.

Lakshmaiah KC1, Guruprasad B1, Lokesh KN1, Veena VS2.

Author information

• 1Department of Medical Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
• 2Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Abstract

In many developed countries, notification of cancer cases is compulsory. Developing countries including India accounts for more than half of new cancer cases in the world, however notification of cancer is not yet mandatory. The primary purpose of notification is to effect prevention and controland better utilization of resources. It is also a valuable source for incidence, prevalence, mortality and morbidity of the disease. Notification of cancer will lead to improved awareness of common etiologic agents, better understanding of common preventable causes and better utilization of health resources with better monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of health programs such as cancer screening and cancer treatment programs, which ultimately might improve survival. Notification of cancer can be done by the doctor or the hospital. Akin to the integrated disease surveillance project where more than 90% of the districts report weekly data through E-mail/portal, notification of cancer can be implemented if it is incorporated into the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke scheme. The need of the hour is cancer notification in India.