on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government to introduce AI-enabled lung cancer screening across public healthcare facilities in the state.
The collaboration aims to strengthen early detection and improve outcomes for patients in both urban and rural areas.
Under the MoU, AstraZeneca will facilitate the deployment of Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray solution, to be integrated into routine workflows at public health facilities across Telangana.
The technology helps clinicians flag high-risk pulmonary nodules, a predominant precursor of lung cancer, along with 29 other lung conditions.
High-risk patients will be triaged for lung cancer confirmation or future follow-up to ensure a stage-shift of lung cancer at diagnosis. A similar model has been adopted in Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
“Telangana is witnessing a steady rise in cancer cases, and late diagnosis due to limited screening uptake remains a major challenge,’’ S. Sangeetha Satyanarayana, Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare Directorate, Telangana, said in a release.
The collaboration would integrate technology into routine public healthcare to bridge gaps in access and capacity, he added
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 such as 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.’’
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 where needed to ensure seamless integration into the public health system.
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 per cent increase over the decade, driven by tobacco use, environmental pollution, and critically, the near absence of routine screening.
Between 80 and 85 per cent 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 per cent, making broad, population-level detection efforts increasingly important.
Telangana reflects these national pressures acutely. The state is projected to record 46,762 new cancer cases among adults in 2026, rising to 47,314 by 2030, an estimated 13 per cent increase by 2027. Women bear a disproportionate share, with 25,510 new cases expected this year, against 21,252 in men.