Question : CANCER CASES AMONG WOMEN

(a) whether cases of various types of cancer including cervical cancer among women have increased over the past few years;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor indicating the number of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study/assessment in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(d) the prevalent methods/tests being employed for screening of women for all types of cancer including cervical cancer and the steps taken/proposed by the Government for awareness and their early detection and affordable treatment in the country; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to popularise low-cost vinegar test which can reduce cervical cancer deaths in the country and if so, the details, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 139 FOR 13TH DECEMBER, 2013

(a)to(c): National Cancer Registry Programme of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), provides data related to cancer incidence through Population based Cancer Registries. According to ICMR, the number of various types of cancer mainly breast cancer among women have increased over the past few years. For cervical cancer, the data shows slight increase in absolute numbers which is due to increased population, however, trends over time in Age Adjusted incidence rates (AARs-Five Year Trend) shows a decline. The latest details of estimated number of incidence of cancer cases in India - all sites (females) for the years 2010-2013 is at Annexure. In females, the cancers of breast, gall bladder, lung, corpus uteri, ovary, thyroid, brain, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloid leukemia have shown a statistically significant increase in Age Adjusted incidence rates (AARs).

The increase in the number of cancer cases among women may be attributed to, inter alia, family history of cancer, ageing population, use of tobacco and tobacco products, unhealthy life-style including unhealthy diet, improved diagnostic tools etc.

(d) & (e): Under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), the focus is on three sites namely breast, cervical and oral cancer. Breast Self- Examination (BSE) and Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) for breast cancer, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) technique (also commonly/ popularly known as vinegar test) for cervical cancer and self- examination for oral cavity/ examination by trained health professionals for oral cancer are envisaged for screening of these cancers.

Prevalent methods for diagnosing cancer include Fine Needle Aspiration cytology (FNAC), X-rays, Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, biochemical tests, tumour markers besides histopathological confirmation by biopsy.

While Health is a State subject, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments for improving healthcare including creating awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. At present, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) being implemented under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for interventions upto the district level includes Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment. In addition, the Government has recently approved a scheme for enhancing the Tertiary Cancer Care facilities in the country under NPCDCS. Under the scheme for eligible institutions upto Rs. 45 crores per Tertiary Cancer Care Centre and upto Rs. 120 crores for State Cancer Institute is available to assist/set up 20 State Cancer Institutes and 50 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres in different parts of the country. The Central and State share for the said amount will be in the ratio 75:25 and for North East and Hill States the share would be 90:10.