Estimates indicate India's reported cancer incidence in 2022 to be 19 to 20 lakhs, whereas the actual incidence is 1.5 to 3 times higher than the reported cases.

India faces the significant challenge of a sizable cancer incidence burden, which continues to grow further. The 2020 WHO ranking on cancer burden in new yearly reported cases ranked India third after China and the US, respectively.

Of the reported cases in India, head and neck, gastrointestinal, and lung contribute to 50% of incidence among males and breast, cervix, uteri, and gastrointestinal organs contribute to 50% of incidence in the case of females.

Among these, cancer of the head and neck are found to be progressing at a CAGR of 23%, prostate cancer at 19%, ovarian cancer at 11% and breast cancer at 8%, which is faster than the overall growth rate of incidence. 

Breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment, but the current imaging techniques have limitations. Mammography, the most widely used tool for breast cancer screening, cannot be utilized for pregnant women or those with dense breasts. Ultrasound imaging, on the other hand, produces low-quality images that may not accurately identify cancerous cells. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more effective in detecting breast cancer, but it is not only expensive but also uncomfortable for patients. Given these limitations, researchers have been exploring alternative methods for breast cancer diagnosis, and microwave breast imaging (MBI) has shown promise.

AI and Cancer

Medical imaging techniques, including X-ray mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging, play a crucial role in the timely identification and monitoring of breast cancer. However, these conventional imaging modalities have their limitations, and there is a need for a more accurate and sensitive alternative. Microwave imaging has emerged as a promising technique for breast cancer detection due to its non-ionizing, non-invasive, and cost-effective nature. Recent advancements in microwave imaging and sensing techniques have opened up new possibilities for the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. By combining microwave sensing with machine learning techniques, microwave imaging approaches can rapidly and affordably identify and classify breast tumours. 

In India, organizations like NIRMAI have played a significant role in breast cancer detection. Niramai, an innovative health-tech Indian company, has developed the world-renowned radiation-free, automated and non-invasive breast cancer screening test.

Bio-Imaging Bank

To address the escalating cancer cases and the shortage of specialists, Mumbai's Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), India's most prominent cancer hospital, is turning to artificial intelligence (AI). They have established a 'Bio-Imaging Bank' for cancer. By this, the hospital is utilizing deep learning to craft a cancer-specific tailored algorithm that aids in early-stage cancer detection. It incorporated data from 60,000 patients into the biobank in the last year.

The project aims to create a robust repository encompassing radiology and pathology images intricately linked with clinical information, outcome data, treatment specifics, and additional metadata.

According to Dr Kulkarni, through this project, they have achieved a 40% reduction in radian by enhancing images with AI. Dr. Sudeep Gupta, the hospital director, opines that through continuous learning, AI enhances accuracy, ensuring timely cancer diagnoses, improving patient outcomes and aiding healthcare professionals in decision-making processes.