Cancer incidence in Telangana averages 52 cases per lakh population: Atlas
HYDERABAD: Telangana recorded an average of 52 cancer cases per one lakh population between 2020 and 2025, according to data compiled from Aarogyasri records by renowned radiation oncologist Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, adviser to the state government on cancer care.
Dr Dattatreyudu submitted the ‘Cancer Atlas of Telangana’ to A. Revanth Reddy on Friday. The report includes data on cancer incidence, prevalence, age groups, cancer types and treatment payment methods.
“Our data is from Aarogyasri for the last five years. It is not alarming,” Dr Dattatreyudu said.
He said Hyderabad, Hanamkonda, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Rajanna Sircilla and Jagtial were among the districts reporting the highest cancer incidence in the state.
Cancer atlas to aid healthcare planning
The health department will upload the data to the cancer portal it recently launched. Telangana has also declared cancer a notifiable disease, requiring hospitals to report cancer cases to the government.
Officials said the move would help create an updated database and enable the government to formulate targeted cancer care schemes.
Dr Dattatreyudu said the atlas also includes a roadmap to strengthen cancer care infrastructure across the state.
“We met Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and submitted the ‘Cancer Atlas of Telangana’, which also has a roadmap. If one district has high numbers, the government can direct resources and cancer centres towards that district. We can also increase mobile cancer screening and treatment,” he said.
The Chief Minister described the atlas as an important tool in the fight against cancer and said the report would help identify regions with higher incidence of the disease and examine possible reasons behind the rise in cases.
He said the data would help the government establish special cancer screening centres in areas where cases are more prevalent.
Government plans cancer hospitals beyond Hyderabad
Revanth Reddy said the government was committed to strengthening cancer healthcare infrastructure across Telangana.
He announced plans to set up special hospitals not only in Hyderabad but also in districts reporting higher numbers of cancer patients so that patients can access treatment closer to their native places.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to implement cancer treatment under the Aarogyasri scheme more effectively in corporate hospitals.
