Delhi, 17th March – Johnson & Johnson (J&J) India today announced the launch of the second phase of its nationwide disease awareness initiative, ‘India Detects to Defeat’ with an aim to further strengthen early detection and timely intervention to improve outcomes in lung cancer care, particularly for underserved populations across India.

Building on the impactful foundation laid in its inaugural phase, which featured a pioneering collaboration with Amar Chitra Katha, one of India’s most beloved storytellers, Phase II will see the expanded rollout of a specially designed illustrated booklet in 5 regional languages - Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu- in print and digital formats. The booklet will be accessible at select healthcare provider (HCP) clinics nationwide and through QR codes, ensuring broad reach and accessibility.

The urgency of this initiative is starkly emphasized by alarming national statistics. India faces a growing burden of lung cancer, with incidence projected to rise from 63,708 cases in 2015 to 81,219 cases by 2025. These increasing numbers are largely attributed to factors such as smoking, with India currently home to nearly 100 million adult smokers and escalating environmental pollution.

Lung cancer remains one of the most pressing public health challenges globally and in India. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and ranks among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. In India, lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer, with approximately 81,000 new cases and nearly 75,000 deaths reported annually.[i] Five-year survival rates remain low, ranging between approximately 3.7% and 17%, largely due to late-stage diagnosis. Notably, nearly 85–90% of lung cancer cases are classified as Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).[ii] In India, an estimated 25–30% of patients harbor EGFR mutations, underscoring the critical importance of comprehensive molecular testing at the time of diagnosis. Raising awareness about the need for mutation profiling including the identification of rare alterations is essential to enable timely, personalized treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes.

“Lung cancer continues to be diagnosed late, limiting timely, life-saving intervention making early detection our most powerful tool. Through Phase 1 of India Defeats to Defeat, we reached over 786 million people and ~6,500 healthcare providers, showing the impact of clear, relatable information. In 2026, we are strengthening this commitment by translating our booklet into regional languages to help families across India recognize early signs and take timely, potentially life-saving action” stated Pushkar Kulkarni, General Manager, Johnson & Johnson India & South Asia operations.

Worldwide, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, as reported by the World Health Organization. This insidious disease is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are severely limited. Screening high-risk individuals offers immense potential for early detection and significantly improved survival rates. J&J's expanded Phase 2 directly addresses this critical gap, aiming to translate vital medical information into an accessible and easy-to-understand format, thereby fostering proactive health-seeking behaviors within communities across the nation.

Speaking about the initiative, Gayathri Chandrasekhar, Editor-In-Chief, Tinkle (Amar Chitra Katha Pvt Ltd) said, "At Amar Chitra Katha, we are steadfast in our belief in the power of stories to inspire, to educate, and to bring about profound positive change. Through these relatable stories, we aim to ignite crucial conversations around lung health and early detection, ultimately empowering families to make informed, life-saving health decisions.”

“The ability to detect lung cancer early is, quite simply, the most powerful tool we have against this formidable disease. The expansion of ‘India Detects to Defeat’ is a critical public health intervention,” affirmed Dr. Sewanti Limaye, Director of Medical & Precision Oncology at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital. “By empowering individuals, with clear, actionable information fundamentally shifts the paradigm from late-stage diagnosis to potentially curable outcomes, translating directly into improved health outcomes across India.”