Over 14.6 Crore Women Screened for Breast Cancer, 9 Crore for Cervical Cancer: Health Minister

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Feb. More than 14.6 crore women across India have been screened for breast cancer, while over 9 crore women have undergone cervical cancer screening, Union Health Minister J P Nadda informed the Lok Sabha in a written response. According to data from the National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Portal, 57,184 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, with 50,612 currently receiving treatment. Similarly, 96,747 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 86,196 are undergoing treatment.

The National NCD Portal, launched in 2018, aims to facilitate screening and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. The initiative is part of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), which was introduced in 2010 to enhance early diagnosis, treatment, and health awareness.

As part of the programme, the government has established 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units (CCUs), 372 district day-care centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres nationwide. The initiative, under the National Health Mission (NHM), provides technical and financial support to states and Union Territories, focusing on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, human resource development, early diagnosis, and referral systems.

Additionally, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) conduct community-based assessments for individuals aged 30 and above to identify high-risk individuals and ensure timely screening. The government’s efforts reflect a strong commitment to combating cancer and other non-communicable diseases through early detection and improved healthcare facilities.