Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines released to standardise cancer care

Key facts

• Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda released India’s first national, evidence-based guidelines for lung cancer treatment and palliation at Kartavya Bhavan.
• The document, titled Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines, outlines 15 recommendations covering diagnosis, treatment pathways, and palliative care.
• The guidelines were developed by experts under the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
• The framework is applicable to both public and private healthcare systems to address regional variations and reduce treatment gaps in lung cancer management.
• The guidelines are tailored to India’s specific disease burden and healthcare realities rather than relying solely on Western clinical models.
• The initiative aims to improve early diagnosis, standardise care across states, and reduce disparities between public and private hospitals.
• A plain-language summary will be issued alongside the technical document to help patients and caregivers understand treatment options.