India Screens 146 Million Women for Breast Cancer: Over 50,000 Under Treatment

HEALTH

India Screens 146 Million Women for Breast Cancer: Over 50,000 Under Treatment

07 FEB 2025

The Indian government has screened over 146 million women for breast cancer and nine crore for cervical cancer, ensuring early detection and treatment under the NP-NCD program. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and financial support have been key in tackling non-communicable diseases nationwide.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda (PC: PTI)

In a significant step towards combating breast and cervical cancer in India, Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced that over 146 million women across the country have been screened for breast cancer, out of which 57,184 cases were diagnosed, and 50,612 women are currently receiving treatment. He provided this information in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, citing data from the National NCD Portal.

Additionally, he stated that more than nine crore women have undergone screenings for cervical cancer. Of these, 96,747 cases were diagnosed, and 86,196 patients are undergoing treatment. The screening and management of these diseases are part of the government's broader initiative to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).

Launched in 2010 by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the NP-NCD focuses on strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure, training human resources, promoting awareness, and ensuring early diagnosis and treatment. The programme encompasses five major NCDs, including hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. Under this initiative, the government has established 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units, 372 district day care centers, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centers across the country.

A key component of the initiative is the National NCD Portal, rolled out in 2018, which facilitates the screening and management of NCDs, ensuring a continuum of care. The government is actively providing technical and financial support to states and Union Territories through the National Health Mission (NHM) to enhance their capacity to tackle these diseases. The NHM has also seen a substantial 185% increase in fund allocation since 2014, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services at various levels.

The Health Facility Registry (HFR) data indicates that Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh have the highest number of verified healthcare facilities. The government’s flagship healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), has facilitated over 85 million treatments, significantly improving access to quality healthcare services for millions across the country.

In Odisha, specific efforts have been made to expand healthcare infrastructure under the NP-NCD. The state has established 30 district NCD clinics, 12 cardiac care units, 32 district day care centers, and 414 community health centers, further strengthening its ability to provide timely medical intervention and treatment for NCD patients.

One of the essential components of this national healthcare initiative is community-level health assessment. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are playing a crucial role in implementing the Community-Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) for individuals aged 30 and above. Through this initiative, high-risk individuals are identified and referred for further screening, ensuring that those at risk receive timely intervention as part of comprehensive primary healthcare services.