In a major move to strengthen cancer care for men in India, the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) has officially launched MenCan, a dedicated initiative by the Urologic Oncology Disease Management Group (URO DMG).
As reported by pib.gov.in, this nonprofit, non-commercial initiative focuses on prostate, penile, and testicular cancers—three male cancers witnessing a concerning rise across the country.
Building Awareness and Enhancing Care
Highlighting the importance of the launch, Dr. Vedang Murthy, Professor of Radiation Oncology at TMC, stated,
“The MenCan initiative represents a vital step in raising awareness and enhancing care for male cancers. Our goal is to promote early detection and empower patients to make informed decisions.”
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) 2022, India is projected to record approximately 41,736 new prostate cancer cases by 2025. Additionally, testicular and penile cancers are expected to see 4,640 and 11,264 new cases respectively. Alarmingly, India holds the highest incidence of penile cancer globally.
While prostate cancer mainly affects men aged 50–64 and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage (with 40–50% metastatic at diagnosis), testicular cancer—which impacts younger men—shows high survival rates if detected early. On the other hand, penile cancer remains a critical concern, especially in urban areas where the age-adjusted incidence rate continues to rise.
Rising Trends at TMC
Reflecting these national trends, TMC has witnessed a steady increase in prostate cancer cases—from 700 cases in 2021 to 900 cases in 2023.
Each year, the hospital treats around 150 penile cancer cases and 250 testicular cancer cases.
However, due to low awareness and a general reluctance among men to seek timely care, early detection remains a major challenge. MenCan aims to bridge this gap by focusing on public education, prevention, patient support, and research.
MenCan’s Comprehensive Approach
Structured around five core pillars, MenCan targets:
- Awareness and Education
- Prevention and Early Detection
- Patient Support and Advocacy
- Survivorship and Rehabilitation
- Research and Development
Recently, MenCan has launched several impactful initiatives:
- Survivorship meetings for penile and testicular cancer patients
- MenCan Care, a virtual support group for patients and caregivers
- A confidential helpline (8451009760) providing emotional and informational support
- India’s first patient campus navigation app to assist visitors at the ACTREC campus
- Active social media outreach to extend public engagement
Expanding Services Across India
To ensure sustainability and nationwide impact, MenCan plans to extend its services to all Tata Memorial Centres across the country.
The initiative has also gained additional visibility with support from renowned singer and public figure Mr. Shaan, who champions MenCan’s message of hope and resilience.
Strong Leadership and a Dedicated Team
MenCan operates under the leadership of senior TMC figures, including:
- Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director, TMC
- Dr. CS Pramesh, Director, TMH
- Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director, ACTREC
- Dr. Shripad Banavali, Director of Academics, TMC
- Dr. Navin Khattry, Deputy Director, ACTREC
Driving the day-to-day efforts are core team members:
- Dr. Amit Joshi, Professor – Medical Oncology
- Dr. Gagan Prakash, Professor – Surgical Oncology
- Dr. Santosh Menon, Professor – Pathology
- Dr. Vedang Murthy, Professor – Radiation Oncology
- Mr. MSR Murthy, Project Manager
- Mrs. Shraddha Bonkar Dethe, Uro DMG Coordinator
A Call for Collective Action
Calling for broader public participation, Dr. Murthy urged,
“MenCan is more than a program — it’s a movement toward a healthier future for Indian men. We invite everyone to join us in spreading awareness and supporting this mission.”