7 out of 10 of South Asia’s childhood Leukaemia cases are in India, reveals landmark Lancet study
New Delhi: Despite major advances in treatment, thousands of Indian children continue to face delayed diagnosis, unequal access to specialist care and lower survival rates than their counterparts in high-income countries.
India accounts for nearly seven out of every 10 childhood leukaemia cases in South Asia, underscoring the country’s overwhelming share of the region’s paediatric cancer burden, according to a new study published in The Lancet. While the figure is partly a reflection of India’s large population, researchers say it also exposes deeper structural problems – delayed diagnosis, inadequate access to specialised treatment and persistent disparities in healthcare delivery. Every year, an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 Indian children below the age of 15 are diagnosed with leukaemia, making it the country’s most common childhood cancer and a growing public health challenge that demands urgent policy attention.
India’s disproportionate burden of childhood leukaemia
The study found that India contributes approximately 70 per cent of all childhood leukaemia cases in South Asia, the highest share in the region. Researchers attribute this not only to India’s population size but also to the country’s limited capacity to identify and treat children with blood cancers early enough for the best outcomes.
Leukaemia, a cancer affecting blood-forming tissues including the bone marrow, accounts for the largest proportion of childhood cancers globally. The majority of paediatric cases are acute leukaemias, particularly Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), which is also the most frequently diagnosed childhood cancer in India.
According to the findings, India records between 25,000 and 50,000 new childhood leukaemia cases annually. In West Bengal alone, researchers estimate 1,000 to 1,800 children develop the disease each year, highlighting the significant burden faced by state healthcare systems.
Experts note that these figures may still underestimate the true burden because many children remain undiagnosed or reach healthcare facilities only after the disease has progressed.
Delayed diagnosis remains major challenge
Unlike many adult cancers, childhood cancers generally cannot be prevented through lifestyle changes or routine screening. The key to improving survival lies in early diagnosis and timely treatment.
However, delayed recognition of symptoms remains a serious challenge across many parts of India. Early signs of leukaemia such as persistent fever, unusual bruising, fatigue, bone pain, recurrent infections and unexplained bleeding are often mistaken for common childhood illnesses, delaying referral to specialist centres.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has consistently warned that avoidable deaths from childhood cancers in low- and middle-income countries are frequently linked to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, interruptions in treatment and limited access to essential medicines.
India has made progress, but significant gaps remain
Recent estimates suggest that 3 – 5 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in India occur in children, with tens of thousands of new paediatric cancer cases emerging every year. Professional organisations, collaborative cancer networks and government-funded health programmes have helped improve diagnosis, treatment availability and supportive care across several centres.
Initiatives such as the National Cancer Grid, expanded paediatric oncology training, and financial assistance under schemes including Ayushman Bharat have improved access for many families. At the same time, charitable organisations continue to provide accommodation, nutritional support and financial assistance that help reduce treatment abandonmenta, major challenge in childhood cancer care.
The WHO estimates that around 400,000 children and adolescents worldwide develop cancer every year, with nearly 90 per cent of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. To address this disparity, the organisation’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer aims to raise survival rates to at least 60 per cent globally by 2030 through stronger health systems, earlier diagnosis and wider access to quality treatment.
For India, the latest Lancet findings reinforce the need for sustained investment in paediatric cancer infrastructure, improved awareness among primary healthcare providers, expanded diagnostic facilities and equitable access to specialised treatment. As researchers emphasise, reducing the country’s outsized share of South Asia’s childhood leukaemia burden will require not only better medical care but also stronger public health systems capable of ensuring that every child is diagnosed and treated without delay.