India's cancer battle: Why positivity and early diagnosis are key to higher survival rates
Cancer is a word that evokes fear and uncertainty. But, after two decades in hematology and oncology, I have witnessed something profound — positivity can be one of the most potent tools in the fight against cancer, especially for children.
In the sterile hospital rooms filled with IV drips, beeping monitors, and chemotherapy cycles, hope often becomes the most effective medicine. While science drives the treatment protocols, it is positivity — from patients, families, and caregivers — that truly powers the healing process.
Childhood vs. Adult cancers: A different battlefield
Pediatric cancers differ markedly from adult cancers, not only in their biology but also in their psychological impact and prognosis. Children, unlike adults, rarely carry the psychological baggage of prognosis. They live in the moment. Their innate resilience, ability to trust caregivers, and often unshakable optimism give pediatric oncologists a unique advantage: the power of a positive mindset from the patient, even when the odds are daunting.
Biologically, childhood cancers tend to be more aggressive but are also more responsive to treatment. Leukemias (especially Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia), lymphomas, neuroblastomas, and Wilms’ tumors are among the most common in children. Thankfully, they often respond well to current chemotherapy protocols, offering real hope for long-term remission and cure.
Adult cancers, on the other hand, are often influenced by environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors and tend to appear later in life. They are more prone to recurrence and comorbidities, which complicates treatment and affects the mental resilience of patients. Unlike children, adult patients often grapple with financial stress, responsibilities, and a deeper awareness of mortality, making a positive outlook more difficult to sustain.
India sees an estimated 50,000 new cases of childhood cancer annually, though the actual number may be higher due to underreporting and lack of access to care. Childhood cancer accounts for 4–5% of total cancer cases in India, but unfortunately, survival rates lag behind those in developed countries. While developed nations boast cure rates of 80% or more, India’s survival rates hover around 60%, largely due to late diagnosis, inadequate infrastructure, and financial barriers.
The most common childhood cancer in India is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), followed by Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and retinoblastoma. Timely diagnosis is often a challenge due to poor awareness among primary care providers and the general public. Symptoms like prolonged fever, unexplained bruising, or persistent fatigue are frequently misdiagnosed.
Treatment protocol:
Treatment generally follows internationally accepted protocols, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery when needed. High-end centers now offer bone marrow transplants, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Yet, disparities in access remain vast between urban and rural India.
While clinical data support the efficacy of treatment protocols, the mental and emotional well-being of the patient often determines how well those treatments work. Numerous studies have shown that emotional support and optimism can improve immune function, treatment adherence, and pain tolerance.
Children, in particular, are more responsive to positive reinforcement. Hospitals that employ play therapy, music therapy, and psychological counselling often report better compliance with treatment and less emotional trauma in pediatric patients. Caregivers who maintain a positive demeanour — even when emotionally drained themselves — set the tone for the child’s recovery journey.
In adults, positivity needs to be more consciously cultivated. Support groups, counselling, and holistic care approaches can help adult patients confront their fears and uncertainties, empowering them to engage proactively in their treatment.
A “permanent cure” in oncology is often defined by long-term remission, typically five years or more without recurrence. Several factors contribute to achieving this, including early diagnosis, which remains the single most crucial factor. Late-stage cancers are significantly harder to treat, and this is especially relevant in India, where delays in diagnosis are common.
Second, uniform application of evidence-based protocols across treatment centers is critical. Disparities in infrastructure between metropolitan and rural centers continue to be a barrier. Third, treatment compliance on the patients’ part. Completing the full course of therapy without interruption drastically improves the chance of a cure. Here, family support and patient motivation are key. Last but not the least, long-term follow-up ensures early detection of relapse or complications.
Alongside psychosocial support is important throughout. Healing is not just about killing cancer cells. It’s about restoring dignity, trust, and quality of life. Positive psychological environments accelerate recovery and help mitigate long-term trauma.
As an oncologist, I have access to the latest drugs and cutting-edge technology. But what truly humbles me is the power of the human spirit. I've seen children paint rainbows during chemo, and adults laugh in the face of a daunting prognosis. That courage is what turns patients into survivors.
Although improving awareness, diagnosis, and infrastructure is critical in India, cultivating a culture of hope is equally important. Positivity is not a substitute for medicine, but it is the medicine that allows all other treatments to work better.
Let us remember where medicine ends, the human spirit begins, and that spirit, when nurtured with hope, has the power to heal beyond what any drug can.
The writer is a paediatric haematologist and a bone marrow transplant specialist in New Delhi. He is also a researcher innovating cell therapy solutions.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
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