The national cancer control programme was launched in India in 1975-76 to address the growing problem of cancer cases occurring in the country. It aims to prevent cancer, promote early diagnosis and treatment. The programme was revised in 1984-85 and 2004 to strengthen facilities and address gaps across India. Key objectives include primary prevention through education, secondary prevention of common cancers via screening, and tertiary prevention by strengthening therapy and palliative care. Various schemes provide assistance to cancer centers, hospitals, NGOs and districts for equipment, education, screening and research to better control cancer in India.

1. NATIONAL CANCER CONTROL
PROGRAMME
BY
V. PRAVALLIKA
M.SC (N)
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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
approved pattern of funding.

6. 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
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.

7. 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,
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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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
creating awareness among masses about the ill effects of
of tobacco and tobacco also be given about the rules being
for implementation for various provisions of the anti tobacco
legislation. November 7th is observed as national cancer awareness
in the country.

11. Research and training:
Training programmes, monitoring and research activities will
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

12. 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.

13. 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
April, 2003 and notified in Gazette of India on 25th Feb,
2004. The important provisions of the Act are:

14. - 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

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

16. THE END