A complaint was filed before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to highlight alarming public health concerns arising out of the systematic failure in cancer prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and affordable treatment in Tamil Nadu, which resulted in over 1 lakh new cancer cases in 2025.
The complainant asserted that as per the data of the Union Health Ministry, Tamil Nadu had crossed the one-lakh mark of recording cancer cases for the first time in 2025. It was also contended that nearly 50% cancer cases in the State are detected at advanced stages, which indicates gross inadequacy of screening programmes, failure of early diagnosis mechanisms, and weak primary healthcare intervention. It was further submitted that the continuing rise in cancer incidence, delayed diagnosis, shortage of oncology infrastructure, and lack of affordable treatment amount to a violation of the Right to Life and Health as encompassed in Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
The complaint mentioned that the inaction of preventive strategy, the failure to expand screening and treatment capacity by the authorities concerned constituted a continuing as well as systematic violation of human rights affecting lakhs of citizens, particularly women, the urban poor, and economically weaker sections.
NHRC considered the complaint and ordered the same to be transmitted to the authority concerned for appropriate action. The authority concerned was also directed to take appropriate action within 8 weeks.