Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Andhra Pradesh to Offer Free Genetic Cancer Testing
Andhra Pradesh is opening a special laboratory in Guntur for cancer testing.
Cancer patients will receive these genetic tests for free.
The laboratory will first focus on breast and lung cancer.
It will look for changes in cancer cells called genetic mutations.
These results can help doctors choose medicines that may work better.
The laboratory is expected to test about 2,000 samples in two years.
The state also plans a larger testing centre in Amaravati.
Artificial intelligence will help screen some chest X-rays for possible lung cancer.
Andhra Pradesh is establishing a free genetic-testing laboratory at Natco Cancer Centre in Guntur.
The ₹2.5-crore, 2,000-square-foot laboratory will initially test breast and lung cancer samples.
Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate the facility on September 22.
AstraZeneca will fund testing for 1,000 breast cancer and 1,000 lung cancer patients over two years.
The tests will identify mutations to help doctors choose targeted medicines and monitor patients.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, AstraZeneca and Strand Life Sciences are implementing the project; Satya Kumar Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate it.
- What
- A free genetic-testing laboratory for cancer patients is being established, initially for breast and lung cancer.
- When
- The facility is scheduled to be inaugurated on September 22 and is planned to test samples over two years.
- Where
- At Natco Cancer Centre on the premises of Guntur Government General Hospital in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- To identify cancer mutations, guide treatment selection, monitor patients and avoid sending samples to Bengaluru and Mumbai.
- Laboratory size
- 2,000 square feet
- Project cost
- ₹2.5 crore
- Initial cancer focus
- Breast cancer and lung cancer
- Planned testing volume
- Approximately 2,000 samples over two years
- AstraZeneca funding
- Testing for 1,000 breast cancer patients and 1,000 lung cancer patients
- Breast cancer mutations
- BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Lung cancer mutations
- EGFR, KRAS, NRAS and BRAF
- Planned screening
- Up to 60,000 chest X-rays over two years using artificial intelligence to identify suspicious lung images