(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey to detect the number of cancer cases in the country;
(b) if so, the outcome thereof and the number of cancer cases registered during the last financial year;
(c) if not, whether the Government has any proposals to undertakes such a survey in this regard; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to control the disease?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a to c): As per the information collected by the Population Based Cancer Registries functioning under the National Cancer Registry Programme of Indian Council of Medical Research, it has been estimated that about 7-9 lakh new cancer cases are detected every year and at any given point of time there are 2-2.5 million cancer patients in the country. As per information available with ICMR the estimated number of cancer patients for the year 2005 is approximately 8.72 lakhs.
(d) Health being a State Subject, it is for various State Governments to ensure that adequate facilities for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer are made available. Under the schemes of National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) special emphasis is now being laid on early detection of Cancer through screening, promoting health education, creating awareness etc. under District Cancer Control Programme. The Central Govt. is also supplementing the efforts of the State Governments by providing financial assistance for setting up of Radiotherapy Units in Govt. Medical Colleges/Hospitals for providing treatment facilities. In addition, the comprehensive cancer detection and management facilities including testing facilities in respective region/States are provided by 25 Regional Cancer Centre established under NCCP.