An assessment of economic burden of cancer that includes direct expenditure on detection, treatment, morbidity cost with productivity loss for employers, patients and their families are major issues to resolve for health care policy makers, health care managers, clinicians, employers and social scientists. Besides, the widening disparity between different socio-economic classes due to differing ability for access and uptake of available health care facilities in the country. The financial burden and socio-psychological effects on the family and society in general are other aspects of cancer that need to be addressed. 

The Seminar chaired by Prof. Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate and Professor at Harvard University, was attended by 30 invited speakers from all over the country, who discussed these critical issues that India needs to prioritize. The Seminar was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate and Professor at Harvard University.