Cancer is one of the leading threats to public health in India. An estimated 2.25 million people live with the disease in the country, with more than 1.15 million new cases registered and an estimated 784,821 deaths recorded last year. Despite this, the country’s cancer infrastructure is sorely lacking – as phrased by a parliamentary […]
cancer
Cancer registry announced in Rajasthan
A cancer registry has been announced by the Rajasthan health department to map cases of the disease in the state. The announcement responds to a disease which is growing in India. Already, cancer is the country’s second biggest killer after heart disease whilst India accounts for the third-highest number of cancer cases in the world […]
How the Indore Government Cancer Hospital’s cases reflects India’s breast cancer burden
In the Indore Government Cancer Hospital in India’s Malwa Nimar region, a sixty percent surge in breast cancer cases was witnessed – in just two years. Between 2016 and 2018, cases jumped from 700 to 1,125 according to hospital records. In the same timeframe, the total number of cancer increased by 12.5 percent, from 4,000 […]
Screening campaign yields results in Mumbai
Both infectious diseases and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) take a significant toll throughout India. In Maharashtra, a screening campaign has led to diagnoses of numerous conditions throughout the state capital Mumbai and detection of multiple symptoms of a range of ailments. The survey, conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), covered approximately 25 lakh people over […]
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Lessons for India
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Telangana state capital Hyderabad commemorated the observance by illuminating monuments and other sites in pink – reflecting the colour of the ribbon which serves as the symbol for the event. “Breast Cancer Awareness Month…helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well […]
ENDS ban criticised by cancer experts
Oncology experts have spoken out against the Centre’s proposed ban on e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), criticising the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) white paper advocating for it. The ICMR has advocated for prohibiting production, sale, and imports of the devices on the grounds that they pose a danger to public […]
Cancer treatment boon under Ayushman Bharat
PMJAY beneficiaries will be able to avail a more comprehensive package of cancer treatment under Ayushman Bharat. “Treatment for cancer is very expensive. We want to include treatment for all [types] of cancer in our health packages which are cost-effective, proven and beneficial to the patients,” said Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO of the National Health […]
Health benefits of breastfeeding: Health Ministry to raise awareness
World Breastfeeding Week may be over for the rest of the world, but the Union Health Ministry has announced plans to make it a monthly fixture in India to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding. During an event last week, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan announced that a breastfeeding awareness week will […]
The burden of childhood cancer
Childhood cancer leads to 11.5 million years of healthy life being lost every year, new research published in The Lancet reveals. India ranks among those countries most affected by childhood cancer. The study marks the first time loss of healthy life due to cancer in adolescents and children has been conveyed through disability-adjusted life years […]
Essential medicines: WHO updates list
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its lists of essential medicines and diagnostics in a bid to expand access to affordable treatments for individuals worldwide. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asserted in a statement that “around the world, more than 150 countries use WHO’s Essential Medicines List to guide decisions about which medicines represent […]