Question : Cancer Cases

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

(a) whether cases of various types of 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 especially for the poor people of the country;

(d) whether the Government has launched/proposed any programme to spread awareness about various types of cancer including prostate cancer if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to set up more cancer hospitals and institutes in the country, if so, State/UT-wise details thereof along with such hospitals/institutes functioning in the country; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government for early detection and affordable treatment of cancer?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): As per Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) data, the estimated incidence and mortality of cancer cases in India reported during the last three years, State/UT-wise is at Annexure-I and II.
Cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factor of which, inter alia, includes, ageing population, sedentary life styles, use of Tobacco products, unhealthy diet etc.

(c) to (f) : The treatment of Cancer in many of State and Central Government institutions is free for BPL patients and subsidized for others. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments to prevent and control cancer and to provide affordable and accessible care. Some of the steps taken by Central Government are as follows:

I. 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 the district level includes awareness generation for Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment. For Cancer, the focus is on three Cancer namely breast, cervical and oral.

II. A population level initiative for prevention, control and screening for common Non-Communicable Diseases (diabetes, hypertension and cancer viz. oral, breast and cervical cancer) has been rolled out in over 150 districts of the country in 2017-18 under NHM, as a part of comprehensive primary healthcare.

III. To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities Scheme to support the setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. The list of SCIs and TCCCs approved till date under the scheme are at Annexure-III.

IV. Oncology in its various aspects is one of the focus areas in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY).

V. Setting up of National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar (Haryana) and 2nd campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata has been approved.

VI. The Government is providing financial assistance to patients living below poverty line for life threatening diseases under the schemes such as Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF), State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF) and Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG).

VII. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) outlets have been opened at 136 Institutions/Hospitals across 22 States with an objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients. Jan Aushadhi stores are set up by Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic drugs at affordable prices.

VIII. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), has launched www.cancerindia.org.in with the theme “India Against Cancer”, a portal that provides information on the leading cancers in India with a major focus on awareness, prevention and treatment of these cancers.