Lok Sabha Question No. 992 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Early Detection Centres for Cancer
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed, E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 992 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH SEPTEMBER, 2020

## EARLY DETECTION CENT RES FOR CANCER

## 992. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

## SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEE R:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the alarming increase in cancer cases, if details thereof;
- (b)  whether the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  early  detection  centres  at  Primary  Hea Centres, if so, the steps taken in this regard;
- (c) whether there is an existing facility for early detection of Cancer screening in Lak if so, the details thereof; a nd
- (d) if not, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a): The information regarding estimated incidence of cancer cases in the country is b National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) of Indian Council of Medical Research. The late report of NCRP is for the year 2020, which is based on data for the pe riod 2012 - 16, as compared to earlier report of 2016, which was based on data for the period 2012 - 14. Also, the year 2020 report is based on an increased coverage in terms of more number of Population Based Ca Registries (PBCRs) or expansion of some exi sting PBCRs. As a result of above changes, the annual  figures  of  estimated  incidence  of  cancer  in  the  country  in  the  year  2020  repo undergone revision as compared to previous report of NCRP of 2016, and the revised year -wise figures are as under:

| Year                | 2017         | 2018      | 2019      |
|---------------------|--------------|-----------|-----------|
| Estimated Incidence | of 12,92,534 | 13,25,232 | 13,58,415 |

(b) to (d): Public Health and Hospitals is a State subject. The Central Government, however supplements the efforts of the State Governments to prevent and control cancer and to p affordable  and  accessible  care.  The  Government  is  implementing  National  Programme  fo 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  appropria te  level institution for treatment.

Under  NPCDCS,  Population  level  initiative  for  prevention,  control  and  screening common  NCDs  (diabetes,  hypertension  and  common  cancers  viz.  oral,  breast  and  cervica cancer)  is  also  being  implemented  across  the  coun ry including  Lakshadweep.  Financial assistance is also provided to the Government of Lakshadweep through Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) for population based screening including early detection of c Under this initiative, persons above 30 years of age are targeted for screening for common NCDs by trained frontline workers at Heath & Wellness Centres/ Primary Health Centres/ Sub - centres. Screening of common NCDs including three common cancers i.e. oral, breast and cervical is an  integral  part of  service  delivery  under  Ayushman  Bharat - Health  and  Wellness  Centres. Population  based  screening  helps  in  mass  awareness  generation  about  risk  factors  and detection of NCDs including common cancers. UT Administration of Lakshadweep has informed t hat Primary Health Centre (PHC) Kalpeni, PHC Kiltan, PHC Chetlath have been converted t Health & Wellness Centres and cancer screening has been initiated in these islands. Furt UT Administration organized mass screening campaign for early detectio n of carcinoma breast, oral cancers and cervical cancers for eligible population at island of Amni.

Awareness  campaigns  on  common  risk  factors  for  NCDs,  including  cancer,  and  for promotion of healthy lifestyle are also carried out through print, electronic and social med a. Indian  Council  of  Medical  Research  (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.