Health Minister's Personal Fight Against Cancer

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav revealed his deep personal connection to the fight against cancer, having lost both his mother and sister to the disease. This experience profoundly impacts his role, leading him to prioritize cancer screening initiatives. He spoke at a recent Walkathon in Visakhapatnam aimed at raising cancer awareness.

The state is grappling with a concerning rise in cancer cases, reporting a 39.5% increase between 2020 and 2025, far exceeding the national average increase of 12.8%. The government is focusing on early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers through extensive screening programs.

Significant efforts are underway to combat the disease. Free oral cancer screening has reached over 13.9 million people, with hundreds of confirmed cases identified. Similar screening initiatives for breast and cervical cancers have also been conducted for millions of women. The government allocates approximately ₹600 crore annually for free cancer treatment via the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust.

Furthermore, preventive oncology centers are established in 17 teaching hospitals, and day-care chemotherapy centers are being expanded. Plans are in motion to develop a Level-1 cancer care center in Guntur and a State-level cancer center in Kurnool, with ongoing efforts to strengthen services in Kadapa and potentially add PET scan facilities at KGH Visakhapatnam.