The Supreme Court has directed 19 States and Union Territories that have not yet done so to consider declaring cancer as a “notifiable disease”.
The direction came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raised concerns over gaps in India’s cancer data collection and surveillance mechanisms.
Currently, 17 out of 36 States and Union Territories have already notified cancer, following recommendations made by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
The move aims to improve cancer reporting, strengthen disease surveillance, promote early detection and enable better planning of healthcare resources.
Need for Declaring Cancer as a Notifiable Disease
Cancer has emerged as one of the major public health challenges in India, with increasing cases requiring better monitoring and treatment planning.
The PIL highlighted limitations in the ICMR’s National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), including:
- Limited population coverage of cancer registries.
- Low representation of rural areas.
- Gaps in systematic reporting of cancer cases.
At present, cancer registry coverage remains inadequate, with rural coverage being particularly limited.
Making cancer a notifiable disease would ensure that every diagnosed case is reported to public health authorities, creating a more accurate national database.
What is a Notifiable Disease?
A notifiable disease is a disease that healthcare providers are legally required to report to government health authorities after diagnosis.
The purpose of notification is to:
- Track disease patterns.
- Monitor outbreaks and health risks.
- Develop evidence-based public health policies.
- Improve prevention and control strategies.
The reporting system is primarily supported through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), managed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Implications of Declaring Cancer as Notifiable
Once cancer is declared a notifiable disease:
- Government and private healthcare institutions must report diagnosed cases.
- Hospitals, doctors and laboratories become part of a structured reporting network.
- Authorities can collect reliable information on cancer incidence and distribution.
This will help in:
Better Data Collection
Comprehensive cancer data will help identify:
- High-risk regions.
- Common cancer types.
- Changing disease patterns.
Improved Healthcare Planning
Accurate information can support:
- Better allocation of medical resources.
- Expansion of cancer treatment facilities.
- Development of targeted screening programmes.
Early Detection and Prevention
Regular reporting can strengthen:
- Screening initiatives.
- Awareness campaigns.
- Early diagnosis mechanisms.
Existing Notifiable Diseases in India
The list of notifiable diseases differs across States and Union Territories.
Commonly notified diseases include:
- Tuberculosis.
- Dengue.
- Malaria.
- Cholera.
- Hepatitis.
- Measles.
- Leptospirosis.
- Polio.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 was declared a universally notifiable disease to ensure real-time monitoring.
Recent additions include:
- Snakebite (2024).
- Human Rabies (2025).
India’s Decentralised Notification System
India does not have a single uniform national list of notifiable diseases.
The power to declare a disease notifiable mainly rests with:
- State Governments.
- Union Territories having legislative assemblies.
As a result, different States maintain different lists of diseases requiring mandatory reporting.
This decentralised approach creates variations in disease surveillance and reporting standards across regions.
Role of Disease Surveillance in Public Health
Disease notification forms an important part of public health surveillance.
It enables authorities to:
- Detect emerging health threats.
- Understand disease burden.
- Design prevention strategies.
- Improve healthcare delivery.
For diseases like cancer, which are chronic and require long-term treatment planning, systematic data collection becomes especially important.
Global Framework: International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005
The International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005) provide a global framework for managing public health risks.
Implemented under the World Health Organization (WHO), the IHR is a legally binding agreement requiring member countries to notify the WHO about events that may pose international public health risks.
The framework helps countries:
- Strengthen surveillance systems.
- Improve international cooperation.
- Respond effectively to health emergencies.
Significance of Cancer Notification
Declaring cancer as a notifiable disease can provide several benefits:
- Creation of a comprehensive cancer database.
- Better understanding of regional cancer patterns.
- Improved rural cancer surveillance.
- Evidence-based policy formulation.
- Strengthened cancer prevention and treatment programmes.
It can also support India’s efforts towards universal healthcare by ensuring that cancer care planning is based on accurate and timely information.
Conclusion
The proposal to classify cancer as a notifiable disease represents an important step towards strengthening India’s healthcare surveillance system.
While cancer differs from infectious diseases traditionally covered under notification systems, systematic reporting can significantly improve understanding of disease burden, resource allocation and treatment planning.
A stronger cancer surveillance framework, combined with early detection, affordable treatment and preventive healthcare measures, can help India address the growing challenge of cancer more effectively.
FAQ: Declaring Cancer as a Notifiable Disease
What is a notifiable disease?
A notifiable disease is a disease that healthcare providers are legally required to report to government authorities after diagnosis for surveillance and policy planning.
Why is there a demand to declare cancer as a notifiable disease in India?
Declaring cancer as notifiable will improve cancer data collection, strengthen surveillance systems, support early detection and enable better healthcare planning.
Which organisation manages disease surveillance in India?
The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), managed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), supports disease notification and monitoring.
How will cancer notification benefit public health?
It will help create a comprehensive cancer database, identify high-risk regions, improve treatment planning and strengthen cancer prevention programmes.
