1out 8 Men as The Possibility of Developing Cancer: Govt

One out eight men in India is at the risk of developing cancer in his lifetime according to available medical data, the government told Parliament on Tuesday.

This probability is relatively lower among women - one out of nine- in the age group 0 to 74 years.

The data is based on registries maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The report was released in May this year and is based on Consolidated Report from Hospitals between 2012 and 2016.

This information was given to the Parliament in an answer to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is running the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).

The cancer related components of this programme includes provision of cancer treatment facilities in addition to early detection and prevention activities of cancer across the country for all types of cancers.

In its reply for another question the government has admitted an increase in the cases of childhood cancer in Delhi.

Quoting a ICMR report, government informed the parliament that cases of childhood cancer among boys have risen from 17.4 in 2006-08 to 22.8 in 2012-14 per every one lakh population.

The corresponding figure the girl child has also shown an increase for the same period from 8.0 to 14.9.

The Government claimed that it is implementing "Tertiary Care for Cancer" Scheme to assist States to establish/set up State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. These institutions mentor all cancer-related activities including treatment for childhood cancer in their respective jurisdiction.

Oncology in its various aspects has focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY).

Setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and 2nd campus of Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata has also been approved and the work has started. All these will enhance tertiary care facility for cancer including for childhood.