Lok Sabha Question No. 3588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Rising Cancer Cases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3588 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21st MARCH, 2025

## RISING CANCER CASES

## 3588. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

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

- (a) the reasons for cancer cases in the country year-after-year;
- (b) whether it is true that cancer cases is likely to increase from present 14 lakhs per annum to 20 lakhs in the coming 15 years and if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons in this regard;
- (c) whether it is true that overall incidence rate of cancer cases reported is not as rapid as the Western countries but absolute number is more and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of commonest types of cancer in the country alongwith the efforts being made to control them;
- (e) the details of States where there is high prevalence of cancer cases and steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to lay more emphasis on those States/districts to contain cases of cancer through special interventions; and
- (f) the details of various types of cancer cases in Andhra Pradesh, district-wise and type-wise alongwith the efforts being made to control and contain them?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) :As informed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the reasons for increase in number of cancer cases reported is due to access and availability of improved diagnostic techniques for detection of cancer, increased life expectancy, growing share of geriatric population, higher health consciousness and improved health seeking behaviour. Also, there has been significant increase in the classical risk factors associated with Non - Communicable Disease(NCDs) including cancer such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, insufficient physical activities, unhealthy diets, consumption of high salt, sugar and saturated fats, etc.

(b) : As per the ICMR- National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) data, the estimated number of incidence of cancer cases in the country for 2025 is 15,69,793. As per Global Cancer Observatory, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) the estimated number of incidence of cancer cases in India is likely to increase to 22,18,694 by 2040.

(c): As informed by the Global Cancer Observatory, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the estimated incidence of cancer cases in India (14,13,316, rate of 98.5 per 100000) accounts for the third highest number of cancer cases after China (48,24,703, rate of 201.6 per 100000) and United States of America (23,80,189, rate of 367 per 100000).

(d): As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Cancer Registry Programme data, cancer of lung and breast are the most common types of cancer in the country in males and females respectively. The estimated number of incidence of cancer cases reported for 2024 for cancer of lung (Males) and breast (Females) are given below.

| Estimated Incidence of most common cancer cases in India (2024)   | Estimated Incidence of most common cancer cases in India (2024)   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Site                                                              | Incidence                                                         |
| Lung (Males)                                                      | 79279                                                             |
| Breast (Females)                                                  | 227152                                                            |

(e) and (f): As per the ICMR - National Cancer Registry Programme, the five States with estimated higher incidence of cancer cases are seen in Uttar Pradesh (2,10,958), Maharashtra (1,21,717), West Bengal (1,13,581), Bihar (1,09,274) and Tamil Nadu(93,536).

ICMR does not have any information on number of cancer cases by district-wise in Andhra Pradesh as there is no Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR). However, as ICMR- NCRP, the estimated number of incidence of cancer (all types and both sexes) in Andhra Pradesh is 76,708 for the year 2024.ICMRhas signed MoU with Government of Andhra Pradesh for setting up of state-wide cancer atlas to arrive at reliable cancer statistics for efforts in cancer prevention and control.

The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories acoss the country under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancer. Under the programme, 770 District NCD Clinics, 372 District Day Care Centres, and 6410 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centres have been set up.

As per the Union Budget announcement 2025-26, the government plans to establish 200 Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in district hospitals across India. This initiative builds upon existing efforts, with 372 DCCCs already functional across district hospitals. The proposal aims to bring cancer care closer to communities, particularly in rural and undeserved areas, while decongesting over burdened tertiary care facilities.

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

Under NP-NCD, financial support of ₹3 -5 lakhs at District level and ₹50-70 lakhs at State level is provided under National Health Mission for awareness generation activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the States and Union Territories as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

In view of the escalating burden of NCDs, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched NCD Screening Campaign (20 th February, 2025 to 31 st March 2025) to achieve 100% screening of individuals aged 30 years and above. The campaign is conducted nationwide across Ayushman Arogya Mandir and other healthcare facilities under NP-NCD.

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