Parliament Question: Cases of Cervical Cancer in Women

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3642 TO BE ANSWEREDON13TH MARCH, 2026 CASES OFCERVICALCANCERIN WOMEN 3642. SMT.HARSIMRATKAUR BADAL: Willthe Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a)whether the Government isaware of the numberof deathsof women due tocancereveryyear inPunjabandif so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government is aware that approximately the 2700 women die of cancer every year in Punjab and that 13299 women have died between 2021 and 2025, if so, the reasons therefor; (c)the steps taken/proposed tobe taken bythe Government inthisregard; (d) whether the Government is aware that breast cancer alone has caused 7196 deaths followed by 3502 deaths due to cervical cancer and 2611 deaths due to ovarian cancer, if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether the Government would ensure that a robust, State-wide system for early detection, screening, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and affordable treatment especially when breast, cervical and ovarian cancers are well known and largely preventable and curable if detectedearly, if so, the detailsthereof ? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV) (a) & (b) As per the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) – National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), the estimated number of mortality of Breast Cancer, CervicalCancerandOvarian CancerinStateof Punjabduring (2021-2025) isasfollows: Estimated Mortality due Breast cancer, CervicalCancerandovariancancerinState of Punjab (2021-2025) Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Breast Cancer 1418 1427 1437 1447 1457 CervicalCancer 691 696 700 705 710 Ovarian Cancer 515 519 522 526 529 There are several risk factors associated with NCDs including tobacco and alcohol consumption, low physical activities, unhealthy diets, increase in obesity, consumption of high salt, sugar and saturated fats, stress, sedentary lifestyle, etc.(c) to (e)The Department of Healthand Family Welfare provides technicaland 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 Health Mission (NHM). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including Cancer. Under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 District Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCC) and 6,410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres have been set up. In addition, 297 District Day Care Cancer Centre (DCCC) have been approved for the financial year2025-26 toensure cancercare accessibility at district hospital level. A population-based initiative for the prevention, control and screening of common non- communicable diseases (NCDs), includingcommon cancers(Oral, Breast and Cervical)hasbeen rolled out across the country. Under the initiative, persons over 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the common NCDs including cancer. In addition, NP-NCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the States/UTs aspertheirProgrammeImplementation Plans(PIPs). Treatment of major NCDs including Cancer treatment are available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PMJAY).This scheme providesfor Rs. 5 lakhperfamily annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitilization in the empanelled public and private hospitals. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacies improve access to affordable cancer medicines, stents, and implants, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and supporting long-term treatment adherence. The nationwide HPVvaccinationcampaignwas launchedon28th February2026.Thiscampaign is implemented across all the States/ UTs targeting eligible girls aged 14 years at designated Government facilities like - Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (AAM) - Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), Sub-district Hospitals (SDHs), District Hospitals (DHs) andGovernment Medical CollegesandHospitals (GMCHs).