Parliament Question: Increase of Cancer Patients

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3676 TO BE ANSWEREDON13TH MARCH, 2026 INCREASE OFCANCERPATIENTS †3676. SHRILALJI VERMA: Willthe Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether the Government is taking cognizance of the fact that there has been an unprecedentedincrease inthe numberof cancerpatientsinthe countryoverthe last fewyears; (b) if so, the details of the schemes being implemented or proposed by the Government to make cancertreatment accessible andaffordablefor the generalpublic; (c) whether adequate facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are available in all District Hospitals across the country, if so, the detailsthereofand if not,the reasons therefor; (d) the details of the Government's plan to establish Cancer Care Centres and to provide necessary equipmentandspecialist doctorsinsuch hospitals; and (e) the details of the financial assistance or free treatment schemes being provided by the Government tocancerpatients belongingtothe economicallyweakersections ? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV) (a) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP) Data, under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the estimated number of incidences of cancer cases in the countryfor the last five yearsisgivenbelow: Estimated incidence of cancercases (2020-2024) – Both Sexes Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Estimated 13,92,179 14,26,447 14,61,427 14,96,972 15,33,055 incidence of cancercases inIndia(b) to (d) The Department of Health andFamily Welfareprovidestechnical andfinancial 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 CancerCentres(DCCC), and6,410NCD clinicsat CommunityHealthCentreshave beenset up. Further, 297 District Day Care CancerCentre (DCCC) have been approved for the financial year 2025-26 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 theirscreening for the common NCDsincluding Cancer. Under the ‘Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme’ 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) have been set up across the country. The National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and the second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata have been set up to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities. Cancer treatment facilities have also been approved in all 22 new All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS). (e)Treatment of majorNCDsincludingCancertreatment are availableunderAyushman Bharat – PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojana(AB PMJAY).Thisscheme providesfor Rs. 5 lakh perfamily 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 supportinglong-term treatmentadherence. Under National Health Mission (NHM), National Free Drugs Initiative and Free Diagnostic Services ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities, reducing out-of- pocket expenses. Anti-cancer drugs are included in the Essential Drugs List at District and Sub- Divisional Hospitals under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).