JP Nadda releases India’s first evidence-based guidelines on lung cancer treatment and palliation
Ahead of World Cancer Day, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday released the “Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines”, marking a significant step towards standardised and patient-centric cancer care in India.
The guidelines were formally unveiled at Kartavya Bhavan and aim to provide a uniform, evidence-based framework for the diagnosis, treatment and palliative care of lung cancer patients across the country. Developed by leading oncology experts and key stakeholders, the document seeks to strengthen clinical decision-making, promote best practices and reduce variations in treatment outcomes across public and private healthcare systems.
Congratulating the Department of Health Research (DHR), the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and partner institutions, Nadda described the initiative as India’s first nationally developed evidence-based cancer guideline. He said the document would play a crucial role in standardising clinical practices and ensuring high-quality, accessible and patient-centric care.
Emphasising the need for context-specific healthcare solutions, the Union Health Minister said India must lead with indigenous, evidence-based frameworks rather than merely replicating international models. He noted that the guidelines reflect India’s healthcare realities, disease burden and resource settings, moving beyond sole dependence on Western clinical protocols.
Highlighting early diagnosis as one of the biggest challenges in lung cancer management, Nadda stressed the importance of strengthening prevention and screening strategies, particularly for high-risk populations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding research, innovation and scientific collaboration to improve early detection, treatment outcomes and long-term survivorship.
The minister also underlined that evidence-based guidelines enhance the credibility and consistency of clinical decision-making, ensuring uniform standards of care nationwide. Reaffirming the government’s resolve, he said India’s fight against cancer would continue to be guided by scientific rigour, compassion and inclusive healthcare delivery.
The guidelines comprise 15 evidence-based recommendations covering both treatment and palliative care for lung cancer. Developed using internationally accepted methodologies such as systematic evidence synthesis and contextualisation to Indian conditions, they aim to strengthen early diagnosis pathways, standardise care and improve quality of life for patients.
The full guidelines have been made available on the Department of Health Research website, with a plain-language summary to be released for patients, families and caregivers.
Senior officials including Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, DHR Secretary Dr Rajiv Bahl, DGHS Dr Sunita Sharma, Additional Secretary DHR Anu Nagar, and several experts involved in drafting the guidelines were present at the event.
