Lok Sabha Question No. 3204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-09
Subject: Rapid Increase in Cancer Cases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3204 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH AUGUST, 2024

## RAPID INCREASE IN CANCER CASES

## 3204. SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of cancer cases reported during the last five years in the country, year-wise;
- (b) the reasons attributed to the rapid spread of cancer cases in the country alongwith the details of any research studies conducted by the Government to identify the causes;
- (c) the details of any initiatives/programmes launched by the Government to prevent and control cancer, including awareness campaigns, screening programmes, and treatment facilities in the country;
- (d) the status of cancer research in the country including the fund allocated, research institutions involved and break throughs achieved;
- (e) the measures taken by the Government to improve access to affordable cancer treatment, especially for marginalized and low-income populations; and
- (f) the timeline set by the Government to achieve significant reduction in cancer incidence and mortality rates in the country?

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

(a) and (b): As per the Indian Council of Medical - National Cancer Registry Program (ICMR -NCRP), the estimated incidence of cancer reported in the last five years is:

| Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2024) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2024) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2024) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2024) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2024) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2024) - Both Sexes   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                           | 2020                                                           | 2021                                                           | 2022                                                           | 2023                                                           | 2024                                                           |
| Estimated incidence of cancer cases in India                   | 13,92,179                                                      | 14,26,447                                                      | 14,61,427                                                      | 14,96,972                                                      | 15,33,055                                                      |

ICMR has informed that increased life expectancy, growing share of geriatric population, higher health consciousness and improved health seeking behaviour besides access and availability of improved diagnostic techniques for detection of Cancer have contributed to registration of more number of Cancer cases in India.

- (c) The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India provides technical and

financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) including cancer.

Preventive aspect of Cancer is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness by using print, electronic & social media and for promotion of healthy lifestyle include observation of National Cancer Awareness Day, World Cancer Day.

The Central Government implements Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme under NP-NCD. 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) have been approved under the said scheme. National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata have also been setup. All new AIIMS and upgraded existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) also focus on treatment of cancer.

(d) ICMR is funding research in various cancer sites (gall bladder, breast, lung, and oral cancers). through its centrally sponsored research projects. The amount spent on cancer research by ICMR was approximately Rs. 115 crores (2020-21) and Rs. 140 crores (2021-22). Additionally, National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research (NICPR), India Cancer Research Consortium (ICRC) and Centres for Advance Research & Excellence (CARE) undertake research in cancer.

ICRC established under aegis of ICMR-DHR in 2019 have 30 ongoing projects in six thematic areas including palliative care, therapeutics and diagnostics. ICMR undertakes randomised clinical trials with a view to provide evidence for therapeutic strategies and improved patient outcomes. A novel diagnostic tool for cancer entitled, "Fluorescent polystyrene based nano hybrid array for estimation of circulating cell-free miRs" was developed and a patent was filed.

(e) and (f): The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy. However, under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), health assurance/ insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 Cr beneficiaries corresponding to 12.34 Crore families.

Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, with an objective to make available Cancer drugs at a substantial discount vis-à vis the Maximum Retail Price.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals has informed that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed ceiling prices of 131 anti-cancer scheduled formulations included in Scheduled-I as per the provisions of DPCO, 2013. In addition, NPPA capped the Trade Margin of select 42 Anti-Cancer non-scheduled formulations

****