Lok Sabha Question No. 3676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Increase of Cancer Patients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Lalji Verma

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3676 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH MARCH, 2026

## INCREASE OF CANCER PATIENTS

## † 3676. SHRI LALJI VERMA :

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

- (a) whether the Government is taking cognizance of the fact that there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of cancer patients in the country over the last few years;
- (b) if so, the details of the schemes being implemented or proposed by the Government to make cancer treatment accessible and affordable for the general public;
- (c) whether adequate facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are available in all District Hospitals across the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of the Government's plan to establish Cancer Care Centres and to provide necessary equipment and specialist doctors in such hospitals; and
- (e) the details of the financial assistance or free treatment schemes being provided by the Government to cancer patients belonging to the economically weaker sections ?

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

- (a) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP) Data, under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the estimated number of incidences of cancer cases in the country for the last five years is given below:

| 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                                                      |

(b) to (d) The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories across the country under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable 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 National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 District Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCC), and 6,410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres have been set up. Further, 297 District Day Care Cancer Centre (DCCC) have been approved for the financial year 2025-26 to ensure cancer care accessibility at district hospital level.

A population-based initiative for the prevention, control and screening of common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including common cancers (Oral, Breast and Cervical) has been rolled out across the country. Under the initiative, persons over 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the common NCDs including Cancer.

Under the 'Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme' 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) have been set up across the country. The National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and the second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata have been set up to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities. Cancer treatment facilities have also been approved in all 22 new All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).

(e) Treatment of major NCDs including Cancer treatment are available under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PMJAY). This scheme provides for Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitilization in the empanelled public and private hospitals. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacies improve access to affordable cancer medicines, stents, and implants, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and supporting long-term treatment adherence.

Under National Health Mission (NHM), National Free Drugs Initiative and Free Diagnostic Services ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities, reducing out-ofpocket expenses. Anti-cancer drugs are included in the Essential Drugs List at District and SubDivisional Hospitals under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).