In a major move to improve cancer care for men in India, the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) has launched MenCan a dedicated initiative led by the Urologic Oncology Disease Management Group (URO DMG). This nonprofit, non-commercial program focuses on three key male cancers that are seeing a worrying rise in the country: prostate, penile, and testicular cancers.
Speaking about the launch, Dr. Vedang Murthy, Professor of Radiation Oncology at TMC, said,
“MenCan represents a critical step towards raising awareness and improving care for male cancers. Our aim is to promote early detection and empower patients to make informed choices about their health.”
The numbers tell a concerning story. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) 2022 report, India is expected to see nearly 41,736 new prostate cancer cases by 2025. Testicular and penile cancers are also on the rise, with around 4,640 and 11,264 new cases projected, respectively. Alarmingly, India holds the highest rate of penile cancer globally.
While prostate cancer often affects men aged 50–64, it’s frequently diagnosed at a late stage in India with around 40–50% of cases already metastatic by the time they are caught. On the other hand, testicular cancer, which tends to affect younger men, has a very high survival rate when detected early. Penile cancer remains a serious concern, especially in urban regions where incidence rates are high.
The growing trend is clear at TMC itself, where prostate cancer cases have jumped from 700 in 2021 to 900 in 2023. Every year, TMC also treats roughly 150 penile cancer and 250 testicular cancer patients. With low awareness levels and a general hesitation among men to seek timely medical care, initiatives like MenCan are vital.
What MenCan Focuses On
MenCan is built around several key pillars:
- Awareness and education
- Prevention and early detection
- Patient support and advocacy
- Survivorship and rehabilitation
- Research and development
In recent months, MenCan has already made impressive strides organizing survivor meetings for penile and testicular cancer patients, launching MenCan Care (a virtual support group for patients and caregivers), and setting up a confidential helpline (8451009760) offering emotional and informational support. They’ve even developed India’s first patient navigation app for visitors to the ACTREC campus, and are building a strong presence on social media to reach even more people.
Looking ahead, MenCan plans to expand its services across all Tata Memorial Centres across the country. The initiative has also gained extra momentum with the support of popular singer and public figure, Mr. Shaan, who has joined the cause to spread awareness and hope.
The Team Behind MenCan
MenCan is powered by a passionate team under the leadership of TMC’s senior management Dr. Sudeep Gupta (Director, TMC), Dr. CS Pramesh (Director, TMH), Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi (Director, ACTREC), Dr. Shripad Banavali (Director, Academics, TMC), and Dr. Navin Khattry (Deputy Director, ACTREC).
The core team includes Dr. Amit Joshi (Medical Oncology), Dr. Gagan Prakash (Surgical Oncology), Dr. Santosh Menon (Pathology), Dr. Vedang Murthy (Radiation Oncology), along with Mr. MSR Murthy (Project Manager) and Mrs. Shraddha Bonkar Dethe (URO DMG Coordinator).
Calling for collective action, Dr. Murthy summed it up perfectly:
“MenCan is not just a program — it’s a movement for a healthier future for Indian men. We invite everyone to join us in spreading awareness and making a difference.”
