National cancer control programme

NATIONAL CANCER CONTROL PROGRAMME

BY V. PRAVALLIKAM.SC (N)COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

Cancer is an important public health problem in India, with newly 7-9 lakh cases occurring every year in the country. It is estimated that there are 2-2.5 million cases of cancer in the country at any given point of time.

With the objectives of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, the national cancer control programme was launched in 1975-76. In view of the magnitude of the problem and gaps in the availability of cancer treatment facilities across the country, the programme was revised in 1984-85 and subsequently in December 2004.

The objectives of the programme are:- Primary prevention of cancers by health education- Secondary prevention i.e. early detection and diagnosis of common cancer such as cancer cervix, mouth, breast and tobacco related cancer by screening/ self examination method; and- Tertiary prevention i.e. strengthening of the existing institutions of comprehensive therapy including palliative care.

The schemes under the revised programme are:Regional cancer Centre scheme:The existing regional cancer centres are being further strengthened to act as referral centres for complicated and difficult cases at the tertiary level. One time assistance of Rs. 3 crores during the plan period is provided to regional cancer centres except THM, Mumbai and IRCH (AIIMS) for strengthening and to the CNCI, Kolkata on the approved pattern of funding.

Oncology Wing Development Scheme:This scheme had been initiated to fill up the geographic gaps in the availability of cancer treatment facilities in the country. Central assistance is provided for purchase of equipment, which include a cobalt unit besides other equipment. A part of grant can be used for the civil work but the manpower is to be provided by the concerned state government/ institution. The quantum of central assistance is Rs. 3 crores per institution under the scheme.

District cancer control programmes:It is known that the large number of cancer cases can be prevented with suitable health education and early detection. Accordingly, the scheme for district projects regarding prevention, health education, early detection and pain relief measures was started in 1990-91, which has since been revised. The central government provides a financial assistance of Rs. 22 lakh per district, selected in the first year, and Rs. 17 lakhs each for the remaining four years of the project period.

Thereafter the state government is required to take over the scheme. The grant is released directly to the nodal institution to be identified by the state government.

Decentralized NGO Scheme:This scheme is meant for IEC activities and early detection of cancer. The scheme is operated by the nodal agencies and the NGO’s are given financial assistance for undertaking health education and early detection activities of cancer.

IEC activities at central level:IEC activities at the Central level are to be introduced in order to give wider publicity about the Anti Tobacco Legislation for discouraging consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco related products, and for creating awareness among masses about the ill effects of consumption of tobacco and tobacco also be given about the rules being formulated for implementation for various provisions of the anti tobacco legislation. November 7th is observed as national cancer awareness day in the country.

Research and training: Training programmes, monitoring and research activities will be organized at the Central under this scheme following training manuals have been developed under the NCCP for capacity building in cancer control at district level:- Manual for health professionals- Manual for cytology- Manual for palliative care- Manual for tobacco cessation

Cancer Atlas: under the national cancer registry programme, the Indian Council of Medical Research has developed an Atlas of Cancer in India based in the information collected for the year 2001-02 from 105 collaborating centres to have an idea of the pattern of cancer across the country.

Tobacco control legislation: A comprehensive tobacco control legislation titled “the cigarettes and other Regulation Of Trade and Commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act, 2003” was passed by the parliament in April, 2003 and notified in Gazette of India on 25th Feb, 2004. The important provisions of the Act are:

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- Prohibition of smoking in public places- Prohibition of direct and indirect advertisement of cigarette and other products:- Prohibition of sale of cigarette and other tobacco products to a person below the age 18 years- Prohibition of sale of tobacco products near the educational institutions;- Mandatory depiction of statutory warnings ( including pictorial warnings) on tobacco packs; and 

- Mandatory depiction of tar and nicotine contents along with maximum permissible limits on tobacco packs.

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