The prevalence of cancer in the country has increased by five per cent between 2012 and 2014 due mainly to a larger population of aged persons, unhealthy diet and lifestyles and use of tobacco products, Lok Sabha was today told.
In a written reply, Health Minister JP Nadda said "National Cancer Registry Programme is being implemented by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) based on 29 population-based and 29 hospital-based registries".
"The increase in the number of cancer cases in the country may be attributed to a larger ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles, use of tobacco and tobacco products, unhealthy diet, etc," he said.
The Centre is currently implementing a scheme for enhancing tertiary care facilities for cancer patients.
Under the scheme, it will assist in the setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.
The maximum assistance, inclusive of state share, for SCIs is Rs 120 crore while for TCCCs it is Rs 45 crore, the minister said.
"Under the scheme, 47 proposals have been received of which 16 are for SCIs and 31 for TCCCs. After evaluation and examination, six SCIs and five TCCCs have been approved and the first instalment of the Centre's share has been released," he said.
