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GOVERNMENT OFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1106
TO BE ANSWERED ON24THJULY, 2026
CANCERCASES AND CARE FACILITIES IN LADAKH
1106. SHRIMOHMADHANEEFA:
Willthe Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a)whether the Government isaware of anyreportedincrease incancercases in the Union Territory
of Ladakh in recent years, if so, the details of the available data on cancer prevalence, the most
commonlydiagnosed typesof cancer andkeytrendsinthe region;
(b) whether there isany evidenceor studies linkingenvironmental, lifestyle, dietaryor occupational
factors unique to Ladakh’s high-altitude and cold climate to the rise in cancer cases, if so, the
detailsthereof;
(c) whether the Government plans to undertake a comprehensive population-wide screening and
diagnostic programme acrossLadakhtoensure earlydetectionandinvestigate underlyingetiologies,
considering its small and geographically defined population, if so, the details regarding its scope,
strategy, timelinesandbudgetaryallocation; and
(d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen cancer care
infrastructure, diagnostic facilities, early detection services and community awareness initiatives in
the Union Territory of Ladakh?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in the Union Territory of Ladakh,
stomach, lung and esophageal cancers are the most common types of cancer among males, while
breast,stomachandesophagealcancersarethemostcommontypesamongfemales.
The UTof Ladakhhas informed that the totalnumber of diagnosed cancer cases during the last five
yearsisasfollows:
Year 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-2025 2025-202
6
Total Cancer 50 87 173 208 214
Diagnosed(b) As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study published in 2025, states that the
socio-economicchangeshaveinfluenceddietarypatterns,leadingtogreaterdietarydiversity,butalso
contributingtotheriseofchronicdiseaseslikecancer,cardiovasculardiseases,anddiabetes.Alsothe
evolutioninthe traditionaldiet overthe yearschangedthe diet patterns, which isperceivedtobe the
significantcontributortotheincreaseinNon-CommunicableDiseases(NCD)intheregionaswellas
shifting from agricultural to non-agricultural activities also seen as a factor impacting disease
incidence.
(c)& (d)The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to
States and Union Territories across the country under the National Programme for Prevention and
Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of the National HealthMission (NHM).
The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening,
earlydiagnosis, referral,treatment, andhealth promotionfor Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Under NP-NCD, 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units and 6,410 NCD clinics at
Community Health Centres have been set up across the country. In addition, 524 Day Care Cancer
Centres (DCCCs) are functional across the country to ensure cancer care accessibility at district
hospital level,out of which 02DCCCs are functional inLadakh.
A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs including
three common cancers (oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer) has been rolled out in the
country including Ladakh under NHM. In this initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are
targeted for their screening at Ayushman Arogya Mandir. Prevention, control & screening services
are being provided through trained frontline workers [Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) &
Auxiliary Nurse andMidwife (ANM)].
The programme is being implemented in all the districts of the union Territory. Under National
Health Mission (NHM), funds are provided to States & Union Territories for awareness generation
activities as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). In addition, outreach screening
camps and IEC/awareness activities, including health melas, are organized to promote cancer
prevention,earlydetection andtimelyreferral.
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