Question : Cancer Cases

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether cases of various types of cancer including breast and cervical cancer and related deaths are on the rise in the country;

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

(c) the schemes/programmes being implemented by the Government for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the country;

(d) whether the Government has launched/proposed any programme to spread awareness about various types of cancer including prostate cancer; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) & (b): Yes, as per National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) data, there has been an increase in estimated incidence of cancer cases of all sites including breast and cervical cancer and related deaths in the country. The estimated number of cases and related deaths due to cancer, including breast and cervical cancer, reported during the last three years, State/UT wise is at Annexure I to VI.

Cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factors of which, inter-alia, include ageing population, unhealthy life styles, use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet and air pollution.




(c) to (e): Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Government for improving healthcare including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Cancer. The objectives of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) being implemented under National Health Mission (NHM) for interventions upto district level including awareness generation for Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment. The focus is on three types of cancer namely breast, cervical and oral cancer. Operational guidelines for implementing population wise screening of common cancers viz. breast, cervical and oral cancer have been issued to the State Governments. The guidelines include screening for the risk factors of cancer among common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Such screening will also spread awareness on the risk factors of common NCDs including cancer. Self Breast Examination is also promoted for early detection for breast cancer. Electronic and Print media is utilized for creating awareness on cancer.

The Government of India is implementing “Tertiary Care Cancer Centre” Scheme to assist to establish/set up State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. Oncology in its various aspects has focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). Setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and 2nd campus of Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata has also been approved. All these will enhance the capacity for prevention and treatment of cancer in the country.