World Cancer Day: Breast, cervical cancer cases rising in TS, AP

Hyderabad: Breast and cervical cancer among women is on rise in the country, says Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). February 4 of every year marks the World Cancer Day.

Over the past few years both Telugu states have witnessed an alarming rise in incidences of cancer among women. Breast cancer rose by 13 percent in Telangana between 2016 and 2018, which it was a two percent increase in cervical cancer cases.

In Andhra Pradesh, its 12 per cent increase in breast cancer and one percent in cervical cancer cases.

Estimated Incidence of breast cancer cases in AP and TS

Estimated Incidence of cervix cancer cases in AP and TS

According to ICMR estimates, the rate of breast cancer in India has increase from 1,42,000 in 2016 to 1,60,000 by 2018. Cervical cancer cases rose from 99,000 to one lakh. For cancer the focus is on three cancers, namely breast, cervical and oral.

A population level initiative for prevention, control and screening for common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs, including diabetes, hypertension and common cancers like oral, breast and cervical cancer, has been rolled out in over 215 districts of the country under NHM, as part of comprehensive primary healthcare. Under the initiative, persons who are over 30 years of age are called for screening for common NCDs.

To tackle the challenge of NCDs, including cancers, 599 NCD Clinics at district level and 3,274 NCD clinics at community health centre-level have been set up.

Dr R V Ravi Kumar Babu, Consultant Internal Medicine, KIMS ICON Hospitals said, “The focus of the National Cancer Control Program of India has been on primary prevention, by promoting tobacco control and genital hygiene. It also focuses on prevention by screening for cervical cancer, breast cancer. People with strong family history of cancer needs proper genetic counseling and testing.”

To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Union Government is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care for Cancer Scheme, and setting up 18 state cancer institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres.

This year’s theme for World Cancer Day is “I am and I will”. This is an empowering call to action that asks every individual to fight against cancer. The theme also reinforces that all of us can fight against cancer.