Every 13th new cancer patient is an Indian: JP Nadda

Every 13th new cancer patient in the world is an Indian as the country shares 7.5 per cent of global cancer burden, Health Minister JP Nadda said today.

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, the minister said out of 1,40,67,894 cases of cancer in 2012, India reported 10,57,204 cases.

"The increase in the number of cancer cases in the country may be attributed to larger number of ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles, use of tobacco and tobacco products, unhealthy diet, etc," he said.

Nadda said, India shares 7.5 per cent of the global cancer burden which implies that every 13th new cancer patient in the world is an Indian.

The Central government supplements the efforts of the state government for improving healthcare, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, he said.

"The objective of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke being implemented under National Health Mission for interventions upto the district level, which includes awareness generation for cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment," the minister said.