As per the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), the estimated incidence of cancer cases is projected to increase from 14.61 lakhs in 2022 to 15.7 lakhs in 2025, according to the information by the government in the winter session of the parliament.
The estimated incidences of the dreadful disease in Jammu and Kashmir in the last five years is 12071 (2018), 12396 (2019), 12726 (2020), 13060 (2021) and 13395 in 2022.
Also, the government informed that a population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the common NCDs i.e. Diabetes, Hypertension and three common cancers i.e oral, breast and cervical. Screening of these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Arogya Mandir (erstwhile Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centre).
While cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factors, inter alia, include ageing population, sedentary lifestyle, use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet and air pollution.
Cancers of the lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus were the most common cancers among men. Cancers of the breast and cervix uteri were the most common cancers among women, the report said.
In 2020, tobacco related cancers are estimated to contribute 3.7 lakhs (27.1%) of the total cancer burden.
As per the officials, cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care facilities. The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or “highly subsidized” for the poor and needy, the Ministry of Health informed the parliament recently.
It said a population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e. diabetes, hypertension and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the three common cancers i.e oral, breast and cervical. Screening of these common cancers is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres.
The studies show a sharp rise in dangerous diseases like cancer, largely attributed to food.
It is time perhaps to focus on preventive measures. Also there should be measures taken towards the preventive aspect of cancer by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level.
