FinCan Study: Ayushman Bharat Must Expand Cancer Care, Prioritize Early Detection

• The FinCan study, led by Dr Abhishek Shankar of AIIMS Delhi, highlights Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY's role as a lifeline for cancer patients but identifies significant gaps.
• AB-PMJAY has covered over 68 lakh cancer treatments worth Rs 13,000 crore since 2018, improving access and increasing treatment initiation by 90% within 30 days of diagnosis.
• A major gap exists: AB-PMJAY allocates Rs 7,700 crore annually for cancer, while the full 5-year Standard of Care requires Rs 33,000 crore.
• The study recommends "smarter spending" through early diagnosis and treatment, projecting annual savings of Rs 1,500 crore and 1,560 additional survivors.
• Key policy reforms include a Rs 25 lakh "revolving ceiling" over five years, a Rs 10 lakh top-up for high-stage cancers, and embedding diagnostic coverage and screening into the scheme.