Executive Summary:
This document is an answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3233 regarding rising cancer cases in India, to be answered on August 8, 2025. It presents data on estimated cancer incidence and mortality from 2019-2024, reasons for the increase in cancer cases, and steps taken by the government to address the issue through the National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases (NPNCD). The information is provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare based on data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Cancer Incidence and Mortality:**
* Estimated cancer incidence in India for 2024 is 15,33,055 cases.
* Year-wise estimated incidence and mortality data from 2019-2023 is provided in the annexure.
* Estimated mortality due to cancer in 2023 is 8,28,252
* **Reasons for Increase in Cancer Cases (as informed by ICMR):**
* Improved diagnostic techniques for cancer detection.
* Increased life expectancy and a growing geriatric population.
* Higher health consciousness and improved health-seeking behaviour.
* Increase in risk factors associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, insufficient physical activity, unhealthy diets, and high consumption of salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
* **Government Initiatives (National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases - NPNCD):**
* Aims to prevent and control common NCD risk factors through an integrated approach.
* Focuses on reducing premature morbidity and mortality from cancer and other NCDs.
* Includes health promotion, early diagnosis, management and referral of cases, infrastructure strengthening, and capacity building.
* Capacity building is provided at various healthcare levels for prevention, early diagnosis, cost-effective treatment, rehabilitation, awareness, and behaviour change communication.
* A national screening program has been initiated to screen for oral, breast, and cervical cancers.
Impact Analysis:
* **General Public:**
* Impact: Provides information on the prevalence of cancer and the government's efforts to combat it. Encourages health-seeking behaviour and awareness of risk factors.
* Action Required: To be aware of cancer risk factors, participate in screening programs, and adopt healthier lifestyles.
* **Healthcare Providers:**
* Impact: Highlights the need for improved diagnostic techniques and early detection of cancer. Encourages participation in capacity-building programs.
* Action Required: Implement screening programs, improve diagnostic capabilities, and participate in training programs for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
* **Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:**
* Impact: Demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing the rising cases of cancer through national programs and initiatives.
* Action Required: Continue to implement and strengthen the NPNCD program, provide resources for screening and treatment, and monitor the impact of interventions on cancer incidence and mortality.
* **Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):**
* Impact: Informs the government of the current cancer incidence and mortality rates as well as the reasons for the increase in cancer cases, based on data from the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP).
* Action Required: Continue to monitor and provide statistics on cancer incidence and mortality rates.
Key Entities Referenced
National Cancer Registry Programme: A program by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for collecting and analyzing cancer incidence data in India.
Indian Council of Medical Research: An apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
National Programme for NonCommunicable Diseases: An Indian government initiative focused on the prevention and control of common non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for health policy.
SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Cancer: A disease involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
Mumbai: A city in Maharashtra, India, used as a reference for mortality incidence ratios in cancer projections.
Non Communicable Disease: Chronic diseases that are not passed from person to person.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH RESEARCH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3233
TOBE ANSWERED ON08th AUGUST,2025
RISING CASES OFCANCER
3233.SHRIRAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government hasconducted anyresearch onthe rising cases of cancerinthe country;
(b) if so, the detailsthereofand if not,the reasons therefor;
(c) the numberof cancerpatients inthe countryduring the last five yearsincluding the ratiointerms
of numberof patientswho recoveredand diedduring the said period,year-wise;and
(d) the steps taken/proposed tobe taken bythe Government tocheckthe rise incancer
cases?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a)to(c): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that as per the National
Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP) Data, the estimated incidence of cancer cases in the
country for 2024 is 15,33,055. The details of estimated incidence and estimated mortality of cancer
cases, year-wise as per the Registry Data are given in Annexure.As informed by ICMR, the reasons
for increase in number of estimated cancer cases is due to access and availability of improved
diagnostic techniques for detection of cancer, increased life expectancy, growing share of geriatric
population, higher health consciousness and improved health seeking behaviour. Also, there has
been significant increase in the classical risk factors associated with Non - Communicable Disease
(NCDs) including cancer such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, insufficient physical activities,
unhealthydiets, consumption of high salt, sugar andsaturated fats, etc.
(d): The Government has undertaken the National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases
(NP-NCD). The main aim of the programme is prevention and control of common non-
communicable disease (NCDs) risk factors through an integrated approach and reduction of
premature morbidity and mortality from cancer and other NCDs. The focus of this programme is on
health promotion, early diagnosis, management and referral of cases, besides strengthening the
infrastructure and capacity building. The capacity building is provided at various levels of health
care for prevention,early diagnosis, cost-effectivetreatment, rehabilitation,awareness andbehaviour
change communication. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has initiated a national
screening programme to screen three common cancers (oral, breast and cervix). Further details are
availableonthe website of Ministry at linkbelow-
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/?q=en/organisation/Departments-of-Health-and-Family-Welfare/national-prog
ramme-prevention-and-control-cancer-diabetes-cardiovascular-disease-and-Stroke-NPCDCS
*****Annexure
Estimated Incidence of cancerCases inIndia,Year-wise*
Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Estimated 13,58,415 13,92,179 14,26,447 14,61,427 14,96,972 15,33,055
Incidence
Estimated Mortalityof cancerCases inIndia,Year-wise**
Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Estimated number of 7,51,517 7,70,230 7,89,202 8,08,558 8,28,252
patientsdying of cancer
Source: ICMR
*NationalCancerRegistry Programmereport, 2020
**Projected mortality cases for India were computed by applying Mumbai Mortality/Incidence
(MI) ratioto theestimated incidence cancercases.