With cancer cases rising sharply across the world and treatment costs becoming increasingly unaffordable for many patients, oncologists say artificial intelligence (AI) could fundamentally change how cancer is diagnosed, monitored and treated over the next decade.
Experts believe the biggest advantage of AI may not simply be automation, but its ability to reduce delays, avoid ineffective treatments and improve precision in decision-making, areas that account for a major share of the financial and clinical burden in oncology.
Speaking at the Fortis Cancer Summit 2026 held in New Delhi, cancer specialists and global oncology leaders highlighted how AI-driven technologies are beginning to reshape precision medicine, radiology, genomic profiling and treatment planning.
Dr Shrinidhi Nathany, Consultant, Molecular Hematology and Oncology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, (Gurugram) said cancer care has reached “an inflection point” where traditional healthcare systems are struggling to keep pace with rising patient numbers and soaring treatment expenses.
“The question is no longer whether we can do better. The question is whether we are moving fast enough,” he said, describing AI as one of the most powerful tools currently available to improve both affordability and treatment accuracy.
Reducing costly delays and treatment failures
According to oncologists, a large part of cancer-related expenditure often stems from delayed diagnosis, repeated investigations, ineffective therapies and avoidable complications.
Doctors say patients frequently undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy or treatment changes before the most effective option is identified, a process that increases both financial strain and physical suffering.
Dr Nathany said that AI-driven systems can analyse imaging, genomic information and clinical history simultaneously, helping doctors identify the most suitable treatment earlier in the disease course.
“Earlier and more accurate diagnosis means fewer unnecessary procedures, shorter hospital stays and better use of healthcare resources,” he said.
One of the major areas discussed during the summit was precision oncology, where AI is increasingly being used to match patients with targeted therapies based on tumour-specific genetic mutations.
Specialists said AI-powered tumour profiling platforms are improving confidence in treatment selection beyond what standard pathology methods alone can achieve.
Liquid biopsy technologies which analyse circulating tumour DNA through blood samples, were highlighted as a major breakthrough. These tools allow doctors to monitor cancers in real time without repeated invasive biopsies and help identify treatment resistance earlier.
Experts noted that in cancers such as breast and lung cancer, AI-assisted interpretation of liquid biopsy data has already reduced unnecessary treatment escalation and enabled faster changes in therapy strategies.
Expanding cancer detection beyond elite healthcare systems
Doctors also stressed that AI’s potential extends beyond advanced hospitals and could help bridge major healthcare gaps in low-resource regions.
AI-assisted radiology and screening tools are increasingly being deployed in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa where shortages of trained radiologists have historically delayed cancer detection.
According to experts at the summit, AI-based cervical and breast cancer screening platforms have shown accuracy levels comparable to specialist radiologists while operating at significantly lower cost.
The discussions also focused on the need for faster regulatory reforms and data-sharing frameworks to support wider adoption of AI-driven healthcare tools.
Dr Nathany said current approval systems often move far slower than technological innovation, delaying the integration of potentially life-saving tools into mainstream care.
He also emphasised the importance of anonymised data-sharing collaborations between hospitals to improve AI model training while protecting patient privacy.
“We need regulatory frameworks that evaluate AI-based diagnostic tools as seriously as new drugs,” he said.
The Fortis Cancer Summit 2026 brought together more than 500 national faculty members and over 100 international oncology experts from 25 countries to discuss emerging trends in cancer treatment, precision medicine and multidisciplinary care.
Experts at the conference said AI alone will not solve every challenge in oncology, but many argued that without technological integration, healthcare systems risk fighting an increasingly complex disease burden with outdated tools.
“The future of cancer care will not be built on AI alone,” Dr Nathany said. “But without it, we are fighting a 21st century disease with 20th century tools.”

Original source: in