India Unveils First National Guidelines on World Cancer Day to Transform Lung Cancer Care

Launched on World Cancer Day, the new national framework aims to improve early detection, standardize treatment, and ensure patient-centered lung cancer care across India.

Marking World Cancer Day on February 4, the Union government has launched India’s first nationally developed evidence-based guidelines for lung cancer treatment and palliative care. This marks a major step toward strengthening and standardizing cancer care across the country.

The guidelines were released in New Delhi by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and are expected to bring greater consistency, clarity, and compassion to the way lung cancer is diagnosed and treated in India. Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the country, largely due to late diagnosis and uneven access to quality care.

Titled ‘Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines’, the document outlines 15 clear recommendations covering diagnosis, treatment pathways, and end-of-life care. The framework applies to both public and private healthcare systems, offering a common clinical reference for doctors nationwide.

Health officials said the guidelines address long-standing gaps in lung cancer management, where treatment practices often vary widely between regions and institutions. By providing a standardized roadmap, the initiative aims to improve clinical decision-making, reduce disparities, and deliver better outcomes for patients.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Nadda stressed the importance of solutions tailored to India’s unique healthcare realities. “India must develop context-specific approaches instead of relying only on Western clinical models,” he said, highlighting early detection as one of the biggest challenges in lung cancer care.

Developed by experts under the Department of Health Research and the Directorate General of Health Services, the guidelines balance global scientific evidence with India’s disease burden. Equal emphasis is placed on treatment and palliation, focusing not just on survival but also on quality of life.

A plain-language version will be released to help patients and caregivers better understand their options, reinforcing India’s move toward more humane, equitable, and patient-first cancer care.