Executive Summary:
This document presents the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) role in the national effort against cancer, as addressed in Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 387 on August 20, 2025. It details the achievements, collaborations, and strategies for accessible cancer therapies, including facilities in Madhya Pradesh. It also addresses health assessments related to the Tarapur Atomic Energy Plant.
Key Points / Main Content:
Role and Contribution of DAE:
* Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) under DAE provides comprehensive cancer treatment and guides national cancer care policy.
* TMH has established 11 hospitals across 7 states (8 functional, 3 under construction).
Achievements and Advancements:
* National Facility for Hadron Beam Therapy at ACTREC.
* India's first homegrown CAR T-Cell therapy.
* PREVALL: First oral Mercaptopurine suspension for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
* AKTOCYTE: Breakthrough Nutraceutical for cancer care.
* TRANSARTERIAL Radioembolisation Using Indigenously Sourced Y 90 Microspheres BHABHASPHERES.
* Largest Radiological Research Unit Therapeutic Nuclear medicine unit
Accessibility and Affordability:
* National Cancer Grid (NCG) connects 382 organizations, treating approximately 850,000 new cancer cases.
* Facilities near Dewas and Shajapur constituencies connected to NCG are listed.
* TMC will expand its network using the hub and spoke model.
Health Assessments:
* Epidemiological surveys and annual medical checkups are conducted for employees near nuclear power plants.
* Studies show no adverse health impacts from nuclear power plant operations.
Impact Analysis:
General Public:
* Impact: Increased accessibility and affordability of advanced cancer therapies through NCG and expanding TMH network.
* Action Required: Utilize facilities connected to NCG for treatment; stay informed about expanding network.
Cancer Patients in Dewas and Shajapur Constituencies:
* Impact: Access to cancer treatment through nearby centers connected to NCG.
* Action Required: Utilize the listed facilities connected to NCG for cancer treatment.
Employees near Nuclear Power Plants:
* Impact: Regular health assessments to monitor potential health impacts. Studies indicate no adverse effects.
* Action Required: Participate in annual medical checkups and cooperate with epidemiological surveys.
Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH):
* Impact: TMH continues to provide comprehensive cancer treatment, expand its network, and guide national cancer care policy.
* Action Required: Continue to expand the NCG network and maintain high standards of cancer treatment and research.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Atomic Energy: A department under the Government of India, playing a role in cancer treatment and research through its affiliated institutions.
Tata Memorial Hospital: A hospital under the Department of Atomic Energy, providing cancer treatment and guiding national and international cancer care policy.
National Cancer Grid: An initiative to make advanced cancer therapies more accessible and affordable, connecting numerous organizations for cancer treatment.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India where cancer treatment facilities are located and proposed to be established.
Dewas: A Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, India, where the accessibility of cancer treatment facilities is a concern.
Shajapur: A Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, India, where the accessibility of cancer treatment facilities is a concern.
Tarapur Atomic Energy Plant: An atomic energy plant in Palghar, Maharashtra, with studies conducted to assess health impacts on workers and the surrounding township.
Bansal Hospital Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: A hospital connected to the National Cancer Grid located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 387
ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
ROLE OF ATOMIC ENERGY IN CANCER TREATMENT
*387. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA
SHRI ANOOP PRADHAN VALMIKI
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) the role and contribution of the Department of Atomic Energy and its affiliated
institutions in the national effort against cancer particularly in the areas of advanced
treatment and research;
(b) the details of achievements and advancements in treating complex cancer and the nature
of the required inter-departmental collaboration;
(c) the current status of domestic and international collaborations for cancer research within
the DAE and the details of key outcomes of these partnerships particularly in Lok Sabha
Constituencies of Dewas and Shajapur;
(d) the details of Government’s strategy for making advanced cancer therapies more
accessible and affordable to the general public in the country particularly in the said
constituencies:
(e) whether any radiotherapy or isotope-based cancer treatment facilities have been
established or proposed to be established in Madhya Pradesh particularly in the said
Constituencies and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the details of the effect observed by Tarapur Atomic Energy Plant at Palghar in
Maharashtra and efforts made against the diseases in the plant and township particularly
against cancer and various facilities including emergency treatment in the area?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND
PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (f) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO P ARTS (A) TO (F) IN RESPECT OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*387 FOR REPLY ON 20.08.2025 REGARDING
“ROLE OF ATOMIC ENERGY IN CANCER TREATMENT” ASKED BY SHRI ANURAG
SHARMA AND SHRI ANOOP PRADHAN VALMIKI.
(a) The Tata Memorial Hospital under the Department of Atomic Energy is providing
comprehensive evidence-based cancer treatment. The TMC has established 11
hospitals in 7 States of India which are located at Mumbai, Varanasi, Vizag, Sangrur,
Mullanpur, Guwahati and Bhubaneshwar. Out of 11 hospitals, 8 are functional and
3 are under construction. Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) being a premier cancer
centre in the country, provides leadership in guiding the national/international policy
and strategy for cancer care by-
Promoting outstanding services through evidence-based practice of oncology
Commitment of imparting education in cancer to students, trainees,
professionals, employees and the public
Emphasizing on research that is affordable, innovative and relevant to the needs
of the country.
(b) There is a long list of achievements and advancements in treating complex cancer by
TMC. Some of the achievements are highlighted below:
i. National Facility for Hadron Beam Therapy at ACTREC
ii. India's first homegrown CAR T-Cell therapy for cancer treatment
iii. PREVALL – First and only oral suspension of Mercaptopurine used in the
treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia developed by TMC, DAE.
iv. Breakthrough Nutraceutical AKTOCYTE by the Department of Atomic Energy
set to Transform Cancer Care
v. TRANS-ARTERIAL Radioembolisation Using Indigenously Sourced Y- 90
Microspheres (BHABHASPHERES)
vi. Largest Radiological Research Unit (Therapeutic Nuclear medicine unit)
Page 1 of 3(c),(d) & (e) The TMC has initiated and planned a strategy for making advanced cancer therapies
more accessible and affordable to the general public in the country through National
Cancer Grid (NCG). At present 382 members / organizations are connected with NCG
which is providing treatment to approximately 8,50,000 new cancer cases. The NCG
has potential of massive and far-reaching impact to cover the large number of general
public in the country.
As far as Dewas and Shajapur constituencies is concerned, the people can utilize the
facilities from the nearby following centres which are connected to NCG-TMC
Cancer Unit, Bansal Hospital, Shahapura,
Bansal Hospital
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh - 462016
Surya Mandir Road, Near Sun Temple,
BIMR Oncology Centre
Morar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474005
Cancer Hospital & Research Cancer Hill Gwalior 474 009, Madhya
Centre (RCC) Pradesh
Career Institute of Medical Career College Campus, opp. Dusherra
Sciences and Cancer Maidan, Govindpura, (BHEL), Bhopal -
Research Institute 462023
Bhainsakhedi, Near Bairagarh, Bhopal-
Chirayu Medical College Indore Highway, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
462030
Cancer Foundation, Pigdambar Road, Rau,
Indian Institute of Head &
Near Indian Institute of Management,
Neck Oncology
Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453331
P. O. Padhar, District Betul, Madhya
Padhar Hospital
Pradesh 460 005
M. P. Birla Hospital, J. R. Birla Road, Post
Priyamvada Birla Cancer
Birla Vikas, Satna 485005, Madhya
Research Institute
Pradesh
Part 5 & 6, Race Course Road, R S
Shalby Hospital (Indore
bhandari Marg, Janjeerwala Square,
Division)
Indore-452003, Madhya Pradesh, India
Indore - Ujjain State Highway, Near MR
Sri Aurobindo Institute of
10 Crossing, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Medical Sciences
453555
142, Phadnis Colony, A.B. Road, Near
SRJ CBCC Cancer Center
LIG Square, Indore, 452001
Old High Ct Rd, near High Court,
Vidya Cancer Hospital MainaWali Gali, Dal Bazaar, Lashkar,
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474009
TMC will extend its network under hub and spoke model in a phased manner
through technical collaboration and assistance, which will cover many
more constituencies in the future.
Page 2 of 3(f) Epidemiological surveys for health assessment in respect of employees working in
close proximity to radiation and their families at each of the operating nuclear power
plants in India have been carried out by reputed local medical colleges in association
with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, a premier cancer research centre in the
country. In addition, annual medical checkups are carried out for occupational
workers regularly. These studies/examinations have found that the morbidity pattern
of all ailments is lower than the national average. There has also not been any rise in
cancer morbidity, birth defects in the new born as compared to national average. All
these studies and reports clearly establish that there are no adverse health impacts of
the operation of the nuclear power plants on the people working in them.
*****
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