India’s cancer focus must shift to early detection

India faces a critical challenge with over 70% of cancer patients diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to complex, expensive treatments, poor outcomes, and catastrophic healthcare expenditure. The article advocates for a fundamental shift in the national strategy towards early detection and prevention. Key recommendations include integrating health education as 'life skills' in school curricula, enhancing public awareness about persistent symptoms, and exploring advanced screening technologies like blood-based Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) tests. It proposes a layered, India-specific healthcare model leveraging community health workers, digital risk assessment, AI, and mobile diagnostic services, supported by initiatives like NITI Aayog's imaging biobank and the Draft National Health Research Policy 2026, which prioritizes implementation science.