Cancer Cases Stable, Lifestyle and Tobacco Emerging as Key Risk Factors: Dr R.A. Badwe
Mumbai: The Cancer Care Bharat (CCB) Programme, led by ECHO India in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), is a national capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening cancer care through collaborative learning, professional training and knowledge sharing. The programme seeks to bridge gaps in cancer diagnosis, treatment and patient support by creating a nationwide network of trained healthcare professionals.
Fundamentals of Patient Navigation in Oncology Care programme organised by Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) and ECHO India.
Since its inception, the programme has conducted 42 structured training programmes and 19 national webinars, reaching more than 14,800 healthcare professionals across 17 states, including geographically challenging regions such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East. Its long-term vision is to establish a sustainable learning network capable of training nearly 17,500 healthcare professionals across India.
Under the programme, Patient Navigation in Oncology Care has emerged as a key initiative that equips healthcare professionals with the skills to guide patients through diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and supportive care, helping improve treatment adherence, reduce delays and ensure continuity of care.
The inaugural batch of the Patient Navigation programme trained 73 participants, including 49 medical officers from Maharashtra and representatives of the National Health Mission (NHM), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Tata Memorial Centre and partner organisations. The initiative is expected to expand to additional states in the coming months.
The incidence of cancer in India has remained largely stable over the past decade despite population growth, offering an encouraging public health indicator, Dr R.A. Badwe, Professor Emeritus, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), said during an interaction with the media at the graduation ceremony of the inaugural batch of the “Fundamentals of Patient Navigation in Oncology Care” programme organised by Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) and ECHO India.
Replying to questions from journalists, Dr Badwe said cancer prevalence stands at approximately 100-110 patients per one lakh population in urban areas, 70-75 per lakh in semi-urban regions, and 40-45 per lakh in rural India. “Compared to a decade ago, the incidence has not increased significantly, which is a positive sign,” he observed.
He added that around 40 per cent of cancers in India are directly linked to tobacco consumption, while the remaining cases are largely associated with lifestyle factors, obesity and changing habits. However, with India’s growing and ageing population, he estimated that the country’s cancer burden could reach 2.4 million patients by 2040, underscoring the need for stronger prevention, early diagnosis and patient support systems.
The graduation ceremony celebrated the successful completion of India’s first virtual training programme in patient navigation under the Cancer Bharat Programme, jointly implemented by Tata Memorial Centre and ECHO India to strengthen patient-centred oncology care.
Addressing the gathering, Jayant Kumar Banthia, IAS (Retd.), former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and Guest of Honour, praised the initiative for creating a trained workforce that can bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers.
Delegates Speak
Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director, Tata Memorial Centre, said the programme marks an important milestone in strengthening cancer care through trained patient navigators who can improve access, coordination and continuity of treatment.
Dr. R.A. Badwe, Professor Emeritus, Tata Memorial Hospital, described patient navigation as a crucial pillar of modern oncology, stating that guiding patients through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up significantly improves outcomes and patient experience.
Dr. Siddharth Laskar, Director (Academics), Tata Memorial Centre, said the initiative reflects TMC’s commitment to building a robust, skilled workforce capable of supporting comprehensive cancer care across the country.
Ms. Nishu Singh Goel, Program Head, TMC-KEVAT, highlighted that patient navigation helps patients overcome barriers to treatment while ensuring timely, coordinated and patient-centred care. She said the programme would help build a stronger national network of trained patient navigators.
Dr. Daksha Shah, Executive Health Officer, BMC, said the Patient Navigation programme is a natural extension of BMC’s Comprehensive Cancer Care initiative launched in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre. She said the training equips frontline healthcare workers with the skills needed to help cancer patients overcome barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving access, coordination and continuity of care.
Dr. Sandeep Bhalla, Vice President (Health & Education), ECHO India, said the successful completion of the first batch represents a significant step towards strengthening patient-centred cancer care in India. “Patient navigation is an essential component of quality cancer care, helping patients overcome barriers and access timely, coordinated support throughout their treatment journey,” he said.
Earlier, the programme felicitated the first batch of healthcare professionals who completed the specialised virtual course in Fundamentals of Patient Navigation in Oncology Care, with participants drawn from Maharashtra and representatives of the National Health Mission, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and partner organisations. www.forevernews.in
