India's Ticking Time Bomb: Cancer Cases to Explode to 15 Lakh by 2025

India faces a growing burden of cancer, with a projected rise in cases from 14.61 lakhs in 2022 to 15.7 lakhs in 2025. This makes India the third highest in terms of cancer cases globally, following China and the United States of America.

The information has been revealed by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya during the ongoing winter session in Loksabha.

According to the data tabled in Loksabha, a 2020 report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)-World Health Organization (WHO) reveals India's estimated cancer incidence of 13,24,413, placing it third globally behind China and the United States. IARC data from 2020 indicates that India has the third highest estimated number of cancer cases worldwide, with 13,24,413 cases reported.

State-wise Cancer Cases in India

Data revealed that Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu have the highest estimated cancer incidences in India, according to the ICMR's National Cancer Registry Programme (2,10,958, 1,21,717, 1,13,581, 1,09,274, and 93,536 cases respectively). This emphasizes the multifactorial nature of cancer, with risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and air pollution contributing to its prevalence.

List of state-wise cancer cases:

Source: Rajya Sabha

Breast and Oral Cancer: The Leading Types

According to the ICMR's National Cancer Registry Programme (2022), the most common types of cancer in India are breast cancer and oral cancer, with estimated incidences of 2,21,757 and 1,40,295 respectively. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu have been identified as the five states with the highest estimated cancer incidences.

Understanding the Risk Factors

Cancer is a complex disease with multiple contributing factors. Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and air pollution are some of the major risk factors associated with cancer development.

Government Initiatives for Prevention and Control

Dr. Mandaviya said that the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, takes a proactive approach towards cancer prevention and control through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).

This program focuses on:

1. Strengthening Infrastructure:

Setting up District NCD Clinics, District Cardiac Care Units, District Day Care Centres, and Community Health Center NCD Clinics. Providing technical and financial support to States and Union Territories. All new AIIMS and 13 upgraded existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) also focus on treatment of cancer.

National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata have also been setup.

2. Human Resource Development:

Training healthcare professionals in early detection and management of cancer. Building capacity for cancer prevention and control activities.

3. Health Promotion:

Raising awareness about cancer risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices. Conducting community-based awareness campaigns.

4. Screening and Early Diagnosis:

Focusing on screening for oral cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. Utilizing the Ayushman Arogya Mandir Scheme to reach the 30 years and above population for early detection.

5. Early Diagnosis and Management:

Providing access to timely and quality diagnosis and treatment services. Supporting the development of cancer treatment facilities.

6. Referral to Appropriate Healthcare Facilities:

Ensuring patients receive proper care at the appropriate level of healthcare facility.

Affordable healthcare and treatment for Cancer Patients

To facilitate accessible and affordable healthcare and treatment, the following steps have been taken:-

1. Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization to 12 Crore beneficiary families is provided. The treatment packages under AB-PMJAY are very comprehensive covering various treatment related aspects such as drugs and diagnostic services.

2. Financial assistance is provided to poor patients belonging to families living below poverty line, suffering from major life-threatening diseases including cancer under Umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) and Health Minister's Discretionary Grant (HMDG). Financial assistance upto a maximum of Rs. 1,25,000/- is provided under HMDG to defray a part of the treatment cost and the maximum financial assistance provided under the Umbrella Scheme of RAN is Rs. 15 lakhs.

3. 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, to make available Cancer drugs at Cancer Care Centres in India.

The Central Government implements Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme. 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) have been approved under the said scheme.

Here goes the state-wise details:

Source: Lok Sabha

List of AIIMS having Cancer Treatment facilities

Here is the list of AIIMs in India which are providing the cancer treatment facilities or having dedicated oncology department.

Govt. Medical Colleges/Institutions being upgraded for cancer treatment

Here goes the list of Govt. Medical Colleges/Institutions taken up for upgradation for cancer treatment

Source: Lok Sabha

Over all, India's rising cancer burden necessitates a comprehensive and coordinated approach to prevention, control, and treatment. The government's initiatives, along with a focus on individual responsibility for healthy living, are crucial in mitigating the impact of this growing health concern.