Historic Step: CM Chandrababu Naidu Unveils Cancer Screening Atlas

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken a historic step towards making Andhra Pradesh a cancer-free State by launching the Cancer Screening Atlas , prepared using extensive data collected from screening tests conducted on nearly 2.9 crore people across the State. The Atlas was unveiled at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office in the presence of renowned cancer specialist and government advisor Dr. Nori Dattatreya .

On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that Andhra Pradesh has become the first State in the country to notify cancer as a disease, marking a major milestone in public health policy. As part of the government’s Vision 2030, the State aims to ensure access to world-class cancer care for all citizens by 2030.

The Cancer Screening Atlas provides scientific mapping of cancer prevalence across 28 districts , detailing the number of patients and the types of cancer affecting different regions. This data-driven approach will help the government plan and deliver localized treatment services , including surgery, radiation therapy and medical treatment, closer to patients’ homes. The State’s cancer care strategy will place special emphasis on health education, public awareness and early detection , the government said.

Dr. Nori Dattatreya revealed that Andhra Pradesh currently has 32,657 cancer patients, and warned that, according to estimates by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer cases could rise by 20 per cent by 2030. To address this challenge, the government plans to expand day-care chemotherapy and palliative care services through 23 teaching hospitals and district hospitals across the State. He also noted that Andhra Pradesh is the first State in India to develop such a comprehensive cancer atlas at the State level.

Highlighting women’s health, Chief Minister Naidu directed officials to seek support from voluntary organisations and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to provide HPV vaccines for the prevention of cervical cancer. He expressed satisfaction that the government’s extensive awareness campaigns have encouraged people to come forward voluntarily for early screening. Emphasising the core objective of the initiative, the Chief Minister said the programme is aimed at detecting cancer at an early stage and significantly reducing loss of life.