Lok Sabha Question No. 2282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Increasing cases of Lung Cancer in Women
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2282 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## INCREASING CASES OF LUNG CANCER IN WOMEN

## 2282 SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the steep rise in cases of lung cancer among nonsmoking women in polluted cities in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has detailed data regarding the number of new cases of lung cancer in non-smoking persons, especially women, during the last five years and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken note of the delays in diagnosis of lung cancer due to similarity of its symptoms with Tuberculosis (TB) and the plans formulated to tackle this problem and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the National Action Plan formulated by the Union Government, in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, to control air pollution, along with the time-bound details thereof ?

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

(a) & (b): According to a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) titled 'A clinicoepidemiological profile of lung cancers in India - Results from the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP)', adenocarcinoma accounted for about 53% of lung cancer cases among women, and is 'reportedly the most frequent histopathologic type of cancer among non-smokers'; the study also reported that 'a significant increase in the annual per cent change of lung cancer incidence was observed in metropolitan cities from 1982 to 2016'. The study does not directly quantify ambient air-pollution exposure among women.

(c): TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is to identify undiagnosed TB cases. During TB screening, if an individual is suspected of lung cancer, they are promptly referred to appropriate secondary and tertiary care facilities for further diagnosis and management. Further, cancer patients are considered as vulnerable individuals under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and are focused upon for regular screening to ensure early detection of TB and prompt treatment, if required.

Under Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme, support is provided to States and Union Territories for setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) in different parts of the country. The maximum permissible assistance for SCI is ₹120 crores and for TCCC ₹45 crores with the Centre to State share in ratio of 60:40 (except for NE and Hilly States, where the share is 90:10). Till date 39 institutions (19 SCI and 20 TCCC) have been approved.

(d): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has implemented the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), in January 2019 to improve air quality in 130 (non-attainment and million-plus cities) in 24 States/UTs. The Programme in coordination with Central and State agencies, Urban Local Bodies and other stakeholders, is being implemented through city, state and national-level Clean Air Action Plans addressing key pollution sources.

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