India releases evidence-based guidelines on lung cancer treatment

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 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.