Estimated number of mortality in cancer cases in India was 8.38 lakh in 2019

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : As per National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the estimated number of mortality in cancer cases in India in 2018 was 8,01,374 while in 2019 it was 8,38,065. In 2017, the estimated number of mortality in cancer cases in the country was 7,66,348.

To tackle the challenge of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancers, 616 NCD Clinics at District level and 3,827 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centre level have been set up under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).  Under National Health Mission (NHM), support is provided to States/UTs to provide free essential medicine and diagnostic services for primary and secondary health care needs.

To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care for Cancer Scheme, under which setting up of 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres have been approved. Further, Oncology is also one of the focus areas in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar in Haryana and strengthening of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, are also steps in the same direction, according to a PIB release.

Cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care system. At Government hospitals, treatment is either free or highly subsidized. Treatment of cancers is also available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Besides this, Affordable Medicine and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 203 Institutions/Hospitals with an objective to make available drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients. Under the umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, financial assistance is provided to families living below threshold poverty line for their treatment, including treatment of cancer, at Government hospitals.

For undertaking IEC activities on NCDs including cancer, support is provided to States/UTs @ 50-70 lakh at the State level and @ Rs. 3 to 5 lakh per District. Awareness campaigns on common risk factors for NCDs, including cancer, and for promotion of healthy lifestyle are also carried out through print, electronic and social media. Camps for awareness generation and screening for common NCDs including common cancers are organised at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, during the India International Trade Fair each year.

Special campaigns are organised on the occasion of National Cancer Awareness Day and World Cancer Day. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, has launched www.cancerindia.org with the theme “India Against Cancer”, a portal that provides information on the leading cancers in India with a major focus on awareness, prevention and treatment of these cancers.