NIP THE RISING BURDEN OF CANCER WITH EARLY GRASSROOT LEVEL INTERVENTION

Raj Gore is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Healthcare Global Enterprise (HCG).

Raj Gore

CEO

HealthCare Global Enterprise

He is a seasoned global professional with more than 23 years of diverse experience in business management in North America, Asia, and Africa. Having been in the healthcare industry for 19 years, he has led business transformation and financial turnarounds of acquired healthcare companies in India, Mauritius, and Vietnam, and created sustainable growth momentum and value for these organizations.

The onset of cancer in a person, and its repercussions on the individual and the family can be lifechanging. It would be no exaggeration to say that cancer is among the most feared diseases in the world. In India, cancer is the second-largest leading cause of death. As per a recent report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), it is estimated that approximately 19 to 20 lakhs new cancer cases may be reported in India in 2022. However, the actual incidence of cancer is expected to be 1.5 to 3 times higher than the reported cases from cancer registries, according to conservative estimates.

While the incidence of cancer is high in India, its treatment is gaining priority status with the government.

Early detection, providing timely and appropriate treatment can significantly reduce its negative impact, greatly increasing the chances of survival.

For early detection, grassroots-level intervention is key. One good way to achieve this end is to establish cancer screening and treatment centers that are easily accessible to the public.

Social Set-Up and Early Detection

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists lifestyle changes, environmental pollution, and aging population as factors responsible for cancer deaths. The story in India, which is currently home to about 1.4 billion people, is a little more complex.