Cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, and India continues to face rising cases of oral, cervical, and breast cancers. The Ministry of Ayush aims to address this growing challenge through integrative approaches combining modern oncology with traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, and Siddha for holistic health management.
Proactive, People-Centric Approach to Cancer Care
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, emphasized the need for a proactive, people-centric approach to public health. He noted that safeguarding citizens’ health requires both prevention and integrative treatment models that reach rural and urban populations alike.
“The Ministry of Ayush is expanding cancer-care centres, collaborative research, and community-focused programmes to ensure that holistic and supportive care reaches every citizen,” he said. He further highlighted how integrative models can significantly improve the quality of life, particularly among economically vulnerable sections of society.
Integrative Cancer Research and Centres of Excellence
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, underlined the ministry’s growing network of integrative cancer-care initiatives as part of its evidence-based, patient-centric strategy. Collaborations with reputed institutions such as Tata Memorial Centre–ACTREC, AIIMS, and Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal are fostering advanced research, improving symptom management, and enhancing supportive care for patients.
At TMC–ACTREC Mumbai, a dedicated Centre of Excellence supports integrative care and Ayush drug discovery through in-silico, preclinical, and clinical studies. Meanwhile, the CoE at Arya Vaidya Sala focuses on quality of life and supportive therapy, having managed over 26,000 cancer patients including 338 lung cancer cases in the past two years.
Prevention, Early Detection, and Awareness
The Ministry emphasized that most cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes such as avoiding tobacco and alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and reducing exposure to pollutants. Early detection remains crucial, especially for breast, cervical, and oral cancers, which can be treated effectively when diagnosed at early stages.
Through public education and nationwide screening initiatives, the Ministry of Ayush aims to empower communities to adopt healthy habits and seek timely medical guidance. These measures complement the government’s vision of integrating modern medical treatments with preventive Ayush systems to reduce the national cancer burden.
Holistic Path Ahead
With the rising cancer burden, India’s integrative approach blends prevention, scientific validation, and compassionate care. By combining traditional wisdom with modern science, the Ministry of Ayush is positioning India as a global model for holistic, evidence-based cancer care that prioritizes human wellbeing alongside medical innovation.
