Language Literacy and Cancer: How Communication Gaps Affect Treatment in India

In India, With more than 22,000 languages and dialects spoken in India, effective communication in the medical field is still quite difficult. Language and health literacy challenges can cause uncertainty, poor decision-making, and even treatment discontinuation for cancer patients, especially at public hospitals with low resources. Studies show that nearly 40% of medical errors in Indian cancer care stem from language-related misunderstandings, resulting in avoidable tragedies in a system that is already overburdened. Here are some of the key challenges:

Misunderstood Diagnoses and Consent Forms

Many patients receive complex cancer diagnoses and consent forms in English or Hindi, which makes it difficult for non-speakers to understand their condition or the hazards of therapy. Without proper comprehension, informed consent is useless, and patients may decline life-saving treatments due to misinformation or fear.
A 2022 study in Maharashtra found that nearly 40% of cancer patients signed consent forms without fully understanding them and often relied on rushed verbal briefings from overworked medical staff. Due to inaccurate translations, some people declined necessary surgery or chemotherapy because they thought the procedures were “experimental” or “futile”. Without true informed consent, patients risk making life-altering decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information.

Misinterpreted Medical Advice Leading to Dropouts

Doctors often explain treatment plans using technical terms, which patients may misinterpret. Some people hold onto myths that persist because of linguistic limitations, such as the idea that chemotherapy is "poison" or that surgery spreads cancer. Consequently, many people stop their treatment in the middle, reducing their chances of survival.

Lack of Multilingual Support

Most government hospitals lack interpreters or translated educational materials. Regional-language pamphlets or audio-visual aids are rare, forcing patients to rely on family members, who may also misunderstand critical details, for translation.
In cancer care, where exact treatment plans and medication instructions are essential, this gap is very dangerous. Recovery might be significantly impacted by a missed follow-up appointment or misheard dosage.

Efforts to improve cancer communication

• Patient Navigators: Trained guides who speak regional languages help patients understand diagnoses, treatment steps, and follow-ups. Hospitals like Tata Memorial have implemented such programs with success.
• Regional-Language Awareness Campaigns: NGOs and government bodies are creating cancer education content in local languages, debunking myths and encouraging early detection.
• Telemedicine Interpreters: Some digital health platforms now offer interpreter services, connecting patients with doctors in their native language.

To reduce cancer treatment disparities, India must encourage multilingual healthcare communication. This includes standardising translated permission forms, developing patient navigation initiatives, and training medical staff in basic regional languages. When patients fully understand their care, adherence improves, and lives are saved.