Question : Rise in Cancer Cases

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the rise in various kinds of cancer cases, if so, the details thereof and the number of such cases reported along with the funds provided for prevention of cancer to States/UTs during the last ten years;

(b) whether Government has assessed the factors responsible for its increase including excessive use of chemical manure used in growing of foodgrains as one of the factors, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to check such adulteration and spread of cancer;

(c) the number of specialised cancer hospitals both in Government and private sectors run in the country, along with the number of cancer hospitals required keeping in view the increasing number of cancer patients and the action being taken in this regard, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government has implemented/ proposes schemes to facilitate spreading of awareness on cancer, providing cost effective treatment, financial assistance/free treatment in all hospitals including private hospitals and introduce early detection centres in the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for such patients particularly belonging to the Economically Weaker Section, if so, the details thereof and the eligibility criteria for such persons; and

(e) whether Government has received proposals from States/UTs to setup State Cancer Institute/ Specialised Cancer hospital/cancer treatment hubs on the lines of Tata Memorial Hospital setup in Goa, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon, State/ UT-wise including Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh and Bongaigaon district in Assam?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) and (b): As per National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the estimated number of incidence of cancer cases during 2014-2018 in the country, State/UT wise is at Annexure-I.
Contd……


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Cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factor of which interalia, include, ageing population, sedentary life styles, use of tobacco products & alcohol, unhealthy diet and air pollution. Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has informed that it has not conducted any study to assess the spread of cancer like diseases from soils of agricultural fields due to excessive use of fertilizers.

(c) to (e): Cancer is being diagnosed and treated at various levels in the Government health care system. While doctors with D. M. (Medical Oncology), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) and M.D. (Radiation Oncology) treat Cancer patients in higher level tertiary care hospitals, Cancer is also being treated in hospitals by other Doctors such as General Surgeons, Gynecologists, ENT Surgeons etc., depending on the type and site of Cancer.

Health is a State subject. The Central Government, however, supplements the efforts of the State Governments to prevent and control cancer and to provide affordable and accessible care. The Government is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment.

To tackle the challenge of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), including cancer, 616 NCD Clinics at District level and 3,827 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centre level have been set up under NPCDCS. Population level initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs (diabetes, hypertension and common cancers viz. oral, breast and cervical cancer) has also been rolled out under the National Health Mission (NHM) in over 215 districts. Screening of common NCDs including three common cancers i.e. oral, breast and cervical is also an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres. Awareness campaigns on common risk factors for NCDs, including cancer, and promotion of healthy lifestyle are also carried out through electronic and social media. Camps for awareness generation and screening for common NCDs are also organized at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, during the India International Trade Fair. ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, has launched www.cancerindia.org 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. Several measures have been taken to discourage the use of tobacco products, which is one of the key risk factors of Cancer, besides initiative to promote healthy lifestyles through healthy eating and regular physical activity. Under NHM support is provided to States/UTs to provide free essential medicines and diagnostic services for primary and secondary health care needs.

To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care for Cancer Scheme, under which setting up of 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres have been approved. The list of such approved SCIs/TCCCs in the country including in the States of Goa, Chhattisgarh and Assam alongwith funds released year-wise is at Annexure-II. Further, Oncology is also one of the focus areas in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar in Haryana and strengthening of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, are also steps in the same direction.





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Cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care system. In Government hospitals, treatment is either free or highly subsidized. Treatment of cancers is also available under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Besides this, Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 195 Institutions/Hospitals with an objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients. Under the umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, financial assistance is provided to families living below threshold poverty line for their treatment, including treatment of cancer, in Government hospitals.