IRCS Cancer Hospital was started in 2001 as a Cancer Detection Centre by the Nellore Red Cross Team, headed by Dr. A.V. Subramanyam Garu, meant for the poor. The land was allotted by the government, and the hospital was inaugurated by Dr. C. Rangarajan Garu (Governor of Andhra Pradesh).

The first major donation came from J.S. Reddy Charities, which supported the hospital’s maintenance for up to 1 ½ years.

Later, Dr. Aruna Chandra Sekharan, a reputed Surgical Oncologist from Adayar Cancer Hospital, started the Surgical Department. The Operation Theatre, Surgical Wards, Pathology Lab, and necessary equipment like the X-Ray machine, Ultrasound machine, etc., were procured through donations from philanthropists.

One of the major donors, the Dodla Vardha Reddy & Rukminamma Charitable Trust, funded the construction of the Radiation Department building. The indigenous Cobalt machine and Simulator were installed with the help of the government, and radiotherapy services commenced in 2006 after being inaugurated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Garu, then the President of India.

Poor people began receiving cashless cancer treatment through government schemes. The Red Cross supported the hospital, and the outside medical fraternity referred patients and supported the hospital by providing services like CT Scans, MRIs, and tumor markers at subsidized rates.

Bhagawan Mahavir Jain Charitable Trust generously contributed to the construction of the new Surgical Block, which includes twin theatres, a 12-bed ICU, Surgical OPDs, and more. The construction of a Meeting Hall, Canteen building, and landscaping of the hospital was also undertaken by the Bhagawan Mahavir Jain Charitable Trust. This new facility was inaugurated in 2014 by Sri Mohanlal Jain Garu. Many kind-hearted philanthropists donated all the necessary equipment for the OT and wards.

In 2019, the Medical Oncology Department was established, and since then, almost all types of cancer patients have been treated at this hospital.

A new RT Block was constructed, along with a new Pathology & Biochemistry lab, inaugurated in 2022 by the then-Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Biswa Bhusan Harish Chandhan. The major donors were Mr. Gunapati Harischandra Reddy Garu, Mr. Ganesham Krishna Reddy Garu, and Mr. Adala Raghava Reddy Garu. Sophisticated equipment for the lab was donated by Mr. Gunapati Venkata Prasad Reddy Garu, CEO of Dr. Reddy’s Lab.

For the Radiation Linac Machine Bunker Construction, Mr. Dodla Subbarami Reddy Garu once again donated the funds. In collaboration with the ICON Group, a CT Scan and the latest LINAC Radiotherapy Machines were installed in 2023 to provide advanced modern radiotherapy for different types of cancers.

SEIL Energy INDIA Pvt Ltd. made a major donation for the latest Mammography Machine, Ultrasound Machine, and Harmonic Scalpel Machine (for the OT). They also installed a 150 KVA Solar System at the cancer hospital.

The hospital, which started as a Cancer Detection Centre, has progressed over the years into a full-fledged Cancer Therapy Centre on par with corporate hospitals, with well-equipped departments.

Experienced senior Surgical, Radiation, and Medical Oncologists are rendering their services to people coming from four districts (Nellore, Prakasam, Chittoor, and Kadapa) and other places. The Indian Red Cross continues to support the Cancer Hospital.

Many philanthropists are still offering donations to further uplift the hospital. Numerous people are rendering their free services to the patients and the hospital in various ways.

The hospital has an Annaprasadam scheme to provide nutritious food to inpatients.

The hospital also conducts regular cancer awareness programs in schools, colleges, and villages, along with cancer screening tests at subsidized rates.