Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether an increase in the number of cancer cases has been found in the country during the last three years;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) the details of most significant contributing factor and percentage of cases that may be attributed to it;
(d) the percentage of the cases that may have been caused by poor air quality, year-wise and State-wise, including Delhi; and
(e) the corrective measures taken in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (c): As per Indian Council of Medical Research’s cancer registry data (2012-2014), the estimated incidence of cancer cases in the country reported during the last three years is given in the table below:
Year 2015 2016 2017
Estimated Incidence cancer cases - Both Sexes 1388397 1451417 1517426
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.
Based on the report of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) & National Cancer Registry Programme “Three Year Report of Population Based Cancer Registries 2012-2014” the percentage of cancers occurring in sites associated with use of tobacco is 43.8% in males, 16.0% in females and for both sexes it is 30.1%.
(d) & (e): Indian Council of Medical Research has informed that no study has been conducted by them attributing increased cancer cases with air quality. The data about percentage of cancer cases caused due to air pollution is not maintained centrally.
Multisectorial action is required to prevent and control pollution. The Government of India had constituted a Steering Committee on air pollution and health and the report has been shared with the relevant stake holders. Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change has also approved a new Mission on Health under National Action Plan on Climate Change. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also initiated scheme to provide free LPG connection to women belonging to BPL households under ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna’, to reduce indoor air pollution.
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 include awareness generation for Cancer prevention, opportunistic 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.
A population level initiative of 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.
Measures taken by the Government to prevent diseases caused by various kinds of pollution including air pollution also include the following:
I. Provision of safe drinking water
II. Reduction in emissions from vehicles, industries and power plants and other sources of air pollution
III. Measures for safe disposal of human excreta through sanitary latrines
IV. Treatment of diarrheal diseases, typhoid, worm infestation through public health care system
V. Provision of clean sources of energy including LPG, electric and solar energy.