Nearly 8 Lakh People Die of Cancer In India A Year, Govt Says

   

SRINAGAR: Cancer continues to pose a significant health threat in India, with recent data showing a steady rise in both the number of cases and deaths over the past five years.

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According to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), the number of cancer cases in India has escalated consistently from 1,358,415 in 2019 to 1,496,972 in 2023. Similarly, cancer-related deaths have also increased, from 751,517 in 2019 to an estimated 828,252 in 2023.

 

The figures outlined in the government’s response to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha reveal a worrying trend in cancer’s prevalence across the country. In 2020, cancer cases reached 1,392,179, and this figure continued to climb in subsequent years. The mortality rate has followed a similar trajectory, with deaths from cancer rising from 770,230 in 2020 to 808,558 in 2022, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions.

 

Data on the age-wise distribution of cancer cases at the time of detection highlights that a significant proportion of cases are diagnosed in older individuals, although the burden remains substantial in younger age groups as well. In 2023, 27 per cent of cancer cases were detected in the 15-30 age group, with the 60-plus category also contributing to 25 per cent of the cases. By 2024, this pattern continued, with 28 per cent of cases reported in the 15-30 age group, followed by 26 per cent in the 60-plus category. These figures suggest a notable prevalence of cancer in both the younger and older populations, a concern that warrants increased focus on early detection and treatment.

 

While cancer incidences rise, government efforts to curb the disease remain crucial. The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS) has been set up to address these issues at a national level. However, the coverage under this program remains limited, with less than 5 per cent of the population currently screened for cancer. As of December 2024, approximately 26.06 crore individuals have been screened for oral cancer, and 14.30 crore women have undergone screening for breast cancer. Screening for cervical cancer has reached 8.88 crore women, yet the program’s overall coverage is still below expectations given the scale of the problem.

 

Efforts to expand the reach of cancer screening have been initiated through a population-based screening approach. This program, rolled out under the National Health Mission (NHM), focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, and promoting awareness regarding cancer prevention. The government has also set up District NCD Clinics, Day Care Centres, and Community Health Centre NCD Clinics across the country to facilitate these screenings.

 

Despite the rising cancer burden, the Indian government has taken significant steps to make cancer treatment more affordable. Government hospitals offer free or highly subsidized cancer treatment to low-income individuals. In addition, cancer treatment is covered under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), providing health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year to over 12 crore families, ensuring financial protection for vulnerable groups.

 

To further ease the financial burden, the government has also launched initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which has set up over 14,000 dedicated outlets across the country to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices. Under PMBJP, over 2,000 types of medicines and 300 surgical devices, including anti-cancer drugs, are available at significantly reduced prices.

 

Besides, the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) initiative has established 217 pharmacies across 29 states and union territories, selling more than 5,200 drugs at discounts of up to 50 per cent compared to market prices. These initiatives aim to provide essential cancer treatment drugs and other medical supplies at affordable rates, addressing one of the key barriers to timely cancer care.

 

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