Childhood cancer: India has the treatment, but not the reach or the data

In India, childhood cancer is prevalent but not well-reached due to limited access and insufficient data. Nineteen-year-old Sumana* is a prime example of someone who, after a long battle with leukaemia, managed to overcome her condition and become a schoolteacher. She was fortunate to have access to specialised treatment, support from her parents, and financial stability to afford her therapy.

Despite these advantages, India is home to nearly 380 million children under 14 years old, with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region accounting for the majority of childhood cancer cases. In 2022, India alone reported 25,939 new childhood cancer cases, representing 68.6% of the regional total. Leukaemia and CNS tumours were the most common types, accounting for 35-50% and 12% of cases respectively.

However, many cases may go unrecorded due to limited cancer registration, particularly in rural areas. Oncologists attribute the rise in reported cases to improved reporting as the healthcare system expands, but more robust data is needed to establish the true incidence. While cure rates for many childhood cancers are high, especially in high-income countries, they remain uneven in India.

Factors such as delayed diagnosis, advanced-stage presentation, financial constraints, and limited access to specialised services contribute to the disparity. The lack of a comprehensive cancer registry makes it difficult to determine the prevalence and regional distribution of childhood cancer in India.