AstraZeneca Brings AI Lung Cancer Screening to Telangana

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited is leading a major push in AI-enabled lung cancer screening with a new partnership signed today with the Government of Telangana.

The initiative will roll out AI-enabled lung cancer screening across 20 public healthcare facilities, aiming to improve early detection and reduce cancer deaths across the state.

Under this agreement, AstraZeneca will drive the deployment of Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray solution within routine hospital workflows.

The technology helps doctors detect high-risk lung nodules and multiple lung conditions early, allowing faster diagnosis and timely treatment. Patients identified as high risk will be referred for confirmation or follow-up, improving the chances of catching the disease earlier.

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The program also focuses on training healthcare professionals and strengthening infrastructure to ensure long-term adoption across both urban and rural systems.

Lung cancer continues to rise in India, with cases expected to cross 81,000 by 2025. A major challenge remains late diagnosis, with nearly 85% of patients identified at advanced stages. Notably, cases among non-smokers are also increasing, making population-level screening more critical.

Telangana is seeing similar trends, with cancer cases steadily increasing and access gaps delaying diagnosis, especially in rural areas.

Dr S Sangeetha Satyanarayana Telangana Commissioner Health & Family Welfare Directorate 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 said, “We thank the Telangana government for spearheading this initiative. Early detection plays a defining role in improving cancer outcomes, particularly in diseases like lung cancer, where diagnosis often happens at advanced stages.”