16^th Asia Pacific Oncologists Annual Meeting

India is a developing country. The present population is 1.35 billion. 1.4 million new cancer patients are diagnosed every year. A total of 2.25 million cases are prevalent at a given time. Mortality from cancer is as high as 1.2 million. Cervix and breast are leading cancers among females and head neck and lung are leading cancers among males. Due to poverty and illustration there is lack of awareness which leads to presentation at advanced or metastatic stage. The treatment in most of cases is palliative though now the awareness about cancer has increased and urban population is very conscious about the disease. Financial constraints are other issue for a radical and effective treatment. Lack of health insurance leads to a financial burden on effected family and despite being in a curable stage the patient fails to get required treatment. Central and state governments have started funding programs for diagnosis and treatment, but still costlier target therapies are beyond reach of majority of the patients. More and more funds are being allocated under National Cancer Control Program with sole aim of early detection and cure. Pharma companies are also running patient assistance programs and costly medicines are given as free cycles after patient purchases initial cycles. So, over all scenarios is positive.