Eastern India Lags in Cancer Care Access
Cancer care accessibility varies widely across India, with eastern states facing significant challenges.
The Brief
- Eastern states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal have the least accessible cancer care.
- Bihar patients travel an average of 2,514 km for treatment, compared to under 115 km in southern states.
- Long travel distances delay treatment and impose financial burdens on families.
A study highlights severe regional disparities in cancer care access across India. Patients in eastern states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal face extreme travel distances to reach adequate cancer care facilities.
Research indicates that Bihar has the least accessible cancer care, with patients traveling an average of 2,514 kilometers for treatment. This distance is significantly higher than in southern states, where most patients travel under 115 kilometers.
Southern states generally offer much shorter travel distances for cancer patients. For example, in Kerala, the average travel distance is 67 kilometers, compared to the 2,514 kilometers in Bihar.
Long-distance travel for cancer care leads to delayed treatment and imposes a heavy financial burden on families. These challenges often result in patients abandoning care altogether, according to the study.
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