Kazakhstan has made significant strides in cancer care over the past five years, with early detection rates now exceeding 33 per cent and overall cancer mortality falling by 20 per cent. The progress was announced by the country’s Ministry of Health and reported by Kazinform, a media partner of TV BRICS.
According to official data, the reduction in mortality brings the national rate down to 61 cases per 100,000 people. Improved diagnostic capacity has played a central role, leading to the identification of more than 42,000 new cancer cases in 2025—7.8 per cent above the five-year average. Health authorities say the increase reflects better screening and earlier diagnosis rather than a surge in disease prevalence.
“The early diagnosis rate has exceeded 33 per cent, which is a critical factor in improving survival outcomes,” the Ministry of Health stated, highlighting the impact of its Comprehensive Plan to Combat Cancer for 2023–2027.
Kazakhstan currently has more than 246,000 patients under ongoing medical supervision, with over 55 per cent of them of working age. Survival outcomes have also improved, with the proportion of patients living five years or more after diagnosis rising to 63 per cent.
To support these gains, the government has allocated more than 30.4 billion tenge (approximately US$60.5 million) to oncology services. Healthcare infrastructure has been modernised with six new linear accelerators, expanding radiotherapy coverage to 61 per cent of patients.
Two advanced PET/CT diagnostic centres have opened in Kyzylorda and Aktau, while 19 endoscopic expert centres now focus on early gastrointestinal cancer detection.
Cancer screening programmes are available to the uninsured population, complemented by mobile medical units serving remote regions. Looking ahead, Kazakhstan plans to launch a pilot lung cancer screening programme in 2026 using low-dose CT scans and artificial intelligence.
International cooperation with oncology centres in Turkey, China, Russia, and Central Asia has further strengthened expertise, with 35 Kazakh specialists completing overseas training and internships.
