Insurance claims reveal sharp rise in early cancer detection even as treatment costs soar, study finds

India is catching more cancers early — but at a staggering financial cost. New data from Plum’s Data Labs, which analysed over 100,000 insurance claims between 2023 and 2025, shows a sharp 61% rise in early-stage cancer detections, pointing to better screening and awareness. Yet, the same data reveals that treatment costs are soaring, with many families paying out of pocket despite insurance, and average payouts from insurers steadily shrinking. Advertisement

Early detection

Data from Plum’s Data Labs – analyzing 100,000 Indian insurance claims from 2023–2025 – shows a sharp rise in early-stage cancer diagnoses. The share of in-situ (stage 0) carcinomas jumped from 29% of claims in early 2023 to about 50% by late 2024. This 61% increase in early detection suggests screening and awarenes