Transforming cancer care in emerging economies: India’s AI innovation

Abstract

Cancer remains a major public health challenge across BRICS member countries. Together, these countries represent more than 40% of the global population and account for approximately 9.0 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million cancer deaths. This review aims to summarize cancer epidemiology across the 11 BRICS member countries, with emphasis on breast and ovarian cancers, describe India’s cancer-control and digital-health architecture, and assess the evidence and translational potential of iOncology.ai. Cancer patterns and access to screening, early diagnosis, and specialist oncology care vary across member countries. Breast cancer is among the leading malignancies affecting women and is the leading female cancer in most BRICS countries. Ovarian cancer is less common but is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages and is associated with poor outcomes. In India, cancer-control activities are delivered through the National Health Mission, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, and complementary surveillance, population-based screening, tertiary-care, and financial-protection mechanisms. The Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and Digital India programme provide a policy context for digital health development, including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Within this ecosystem, iOncology.ai is an national artificial-intelligence platform undergoing pilot-stage clinical validation and implementation evaluation. The review also identifies priorities for collaborative digital oncology in the context of India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026.