Lok Sabha Question No. 5721 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Early Screening of Breast Cancer
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5721 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH APRIL, 2025

## EARLY SCREENING OFBREAST CANCER

## 5721. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

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

- (a) the details of breast cancer screening conducted in the country particularly in rural and urban areas during the last five years considering the varying prevalence rates (5 per 100,000 in rural and 30 per 100,000 in urban areas);
- (b) the specific steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote early screening among younger women in light of the increasing incidence of breast cancer with age;
- (c) whether the Government has collaborated with any research institutions/international organizations to develop/support new technologies for early breast cancer detection and diagnosis, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether there are any Government-led awareness campaigns/community outreach programmes specifically focused on educating women about breast cancer symptoms, risk factors and self-examination practices in rural and underserved areas and if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) and (b) In order to prevent and control major Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), viz, Hypertension, Diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) was launched by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 2010 with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facilities. Under the programme,770 District NCD Clinics, 372 District Day Care Centres and 6410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centre have been set up across the country.

A population-based initiative for screening, management and prevention of Non Communicable Diseases, including breast cancer has been rolled out in the country under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of National Health Mission (NHM). Prevention and screening services are delivered through public health facilities in rural & urban Areas. The details of women screened for breast cancer and put on treatment during the last five years are as under:-

|                | Breast Cancer   | Breast Cancer   |
|----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| Financial Year | Screened        | On Treatment    |
| 2020-2021      | 4,514,426       | 966             |
| 2021-2022      | 11,027,987      | 1,525           |
| 2022-2023      | 36,109,083      | 3,174           |
| 2023-2024      | 27,181,874      | 5,368           |
| 2024-2025      | 36,005,194      | 7,629           |

- (c) Ministry of Health & Family Welfare provides financial and technical support to the States and Union Territories under NP-NCD to supplement their efforts. Further, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has designated AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh as centres of excellence for artificial intelligence. These centres are engaged in research and development of AI based solutions in health care sector which includes those on Cancer.
- (d) Under NP-NCD financial support of ₹3 -5 lakhs is provided at District level and ₹5070 lakhs at State level under NHM for awareness generation activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the States and Union Territories as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs), including rural & underserved areas.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the NP-NCD launched NonCommunicable Diseases screening drive to screen all individuals aged 30 years and above for NCDs including breast cancer at all Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and other health facilities from 20 th February 2025 to 31 st March 2025 in order to enhance awareness and community outreach, mobilizing ASHA workers and health volunteers.

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