Parliament Question: Rising incidence of early-onset cancers and other non-communicable diseases

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 414 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3rd FEBRUARY, 2026 RISING INCIDENCE OF EARLY-ONSET CANCERS AND OTHER NON- COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 414. SHRI KARTIKEYA SHARMA: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has taken cognisance of the rising incidence of early-onset cancers and other non-communicable diseases; (b) whether any age-disaggregated data on cancer prevalence, stage of diagnosis and survival outcomes for this demographic is being maintained under the National Cancer Registry Programme; (c) the specific factors including lifestyle changes, dietary patterns, environmental exposure, digital habits and delayed health-seeking behaviour have been identified by the Ministry as contributing to these trends; and (d) whether Government proposes to introduce targeted early-screening, awareness and preventive health programmes for young adults, particularly for breast, cervical, colorectal and head-and-neck cancers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) and (b) As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report “India: Health of the Nation’s States” published in 2017, the proportion of incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease have increased in India from 30.5% in 1990 to 55.4% in 2016. National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), under ICMR maintains and report cancer data with age disaggregated incidence and some clinical outcomes. In some research outputs includes stage at diagnosis and survival outcomes. The availability and completeness varies by dataset and registry type.(c) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that the reasons for increase in number of cancer cases reported 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, unhealthy diets, consumption of high salt, sugar and saturated fats, etc. (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 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. Further 297 District Day Care Cancer Centre (DCCC) have been approved for the financial year 2025-26 to ensure cancer care accessibility at district hospital level. A population-based initiative for the prevention, control and screening of common non- communicable diseases (NCDs), including three common cancers, has been 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. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NP-NCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). *******