What The Health Ministry Revealed About Breast Cancer Initiatives In India
New Delhi: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India. It accounts for over 28 percent of all cancers in Indian women. Many cases are diagnosed at a later stage due to lack of awareness and limited access to early screening. Urban areas report higher incidence rates, but rural areas often face worse outcomes due to healthcare gaps. Early detection and regular screenings are key to improving survival rates.
Tamil Nadu’s S Jagathratchagan recently raised the issue in the parliament and sought details of breast cancer screenings conducted in the country in both rural and urban areas in the past five days. The Arakkonam MP also sought specific measures taken/proposed to be taken by the government to promote early screening among younger women in light of the increasing incidence of breast cancer with age.
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In its response, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that a population-based screening of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including breast cancer, has been rolled out under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). NP-NCD was launched by the Department of Health and Family Welfare in 2010.
It stated that in 2020-21, nearly 45 lakh women from both rural and urban areas were screened while 966 were on treatment. In 2021-22, over 1.1 crore women were screened, with 1,525 on treatment.
In 2022-23, around 3.6 crore women were screened, with 3,174 on treatment; in 2023-24, the number of women screened dropped to 2.7 crore, while the number of women on treatment increased to 5,368.
In 2024-25, nearly 3.6 crore women were screened, with 7,629 put on treatment.
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The Arakkonam MP also sought to ask whether the government has collaborated with any research institutions/international organisations to develop/support new technologies for early breast cancer detection and diagnosis.
In response, the ministry stated that it provides financial and technical support to the states and union territories under NP-NCD to supplement their efforts. It also added that it has designated AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh as centres of excellence for artificial intelligence. These centres are engaged in research and development of AI-based solutions in the healthcare sector, which includes those on cancer, added the ministry.
When MP Jagathratchagan queried about government-led awareness campaigns/community outreach programmes specifically focused on educating women about breast cancer symptoms, risk factors and self-examination practices in rural and underserved areas, the ministry stated that under NP-NCD, financial support of Rs 3-5 lakhs is provided at the district level.
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At state level, Rs 50-70 lakhs is given under NHM for awareness generation activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the states and union territories as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs), including rural and underserved areas.
Additionally, it has also launched a non-communicable diseases screening drive to screen all individuals aged 30 years and above for NCDs, including breast cancer, at all Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and other health facilities from February 20, 2025, to March 31, 2025, in order to enhance awareness and community outreach, mobilising ASHA workers and health volunteers.
