Further, as per report of ICMR on “Time Trends in Cancer Incidence Rates (1982-2005)”, the number of cancer patients is growing over the years at an average of approximately 1.2% per year. However, the number of cases of persons with non-communicable diseases including cancer is rising mainly due to several factors e.g. unhealthy life style, increase in the population, environmental pollution, use of tobacco etc.

The Government has recently revised the National Cancer Control Programme and reformulated a comprehensive National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) for the remaining two years of the 11th Five Year Plan.

The new Programme envisages prevention and control of common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancer, through behaviour and life style changes; build capacity at various levels of health care for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common NCDs; train human resource and establish and develop capacity for palliative & rehabilitative care. Under the programme diagnostic services, basic surgery, chemotherapy and palliative care to cancer patients at 100 districts across 21 States are being provided.

The Central Government is also supplementing the efforts of the State Governments by focusing on early detection of Cancer, health education and creating awareness through print and electronic media.

This information was given by the Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in reply to a written question in Rajya Sabha.