AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana to introduce AI-enabled lung cancer screening across public healthcare facilities in the state.
The initiative is expected to roll out across 20 public health facilities, covering urban and rural health systems. It includes training and upskilling of healthcare professionals to support effective and sustainable adoption, as well as infrastructure enhancements.
Lung cancer is among the most pressing public health challenges in India today. National incidence is projected to rise from approximately 63,700 cases in 2015 to over 81,200 by 2025, a 27% increase over the decade. Between 80 and 85% of patients present with advanced, incurable disease at the time of diagnosis, contributing to nearly 60,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. The disease is also no longer confined to smokers: cases among non-smokers are rising by 30 to 40%, making broad, population-level detection efforts increasingly important.
According to the Telangana Cancer Burden Profile 2026, published by ICMR-NCDIR, one in six women in Hyderabad faces the risk of developing cancer in her lifetime; one in eight men is likely to receive a cancer diagnosis before the age of 74. Telangana is projected to record 46,762 new cancer cases among adults in 2026, rising to 47,314 by 2030, an estimated 13% increase by 2027. Women bear a disproportionate share, with 25,510 new cases expected this year against 21,252 in men.
Under the MoU, AstraZeneca will facilitate the deployment of Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray solution for integration into routine workflows at public health facilities across Telangana. The technology helps clinicians flag the high-risk pulmonary nodules, a predominant precursor of lung cancer along with 29 other lung conditions. The high-risk patients will be triaged for lung cancer confirmation or future follow-up to ensure stage shift of lung cancer at diagnosis. A similar model has already been adopted in Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Dr. S. Sangeetha Satyanarayana, Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare Directorate, Government of Telangana, said, “Telangana is witnessing a steady rise in cancer cases and late diagnosis due to limited screening uptake remains a major challenge. This collaboration integrates technology into routine public healthcare to bridge gaps in access and capacity and reflects our continued focus on building a more proactive, future-ready health system.”
Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President & Managing Director, AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd., said,“ Early detection plays a defining role in improving cancer outcomes, particularly in diseases like lung cancer, where diagnosis often happens at advanced stages. At AstraZeneca, partnerships are part of our broader commitment to expanding access to innovative healthcare solutions in India. We believe such partnerships can drive meaningful impact by bringing early diagnosis closer to communities that need it the most.”
