NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CANCER, DIABETES, CVD AND STROKE

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CANCER, DIABETES, CVD AND STROKE

India is experiencing a rapid health transition with a rising burden of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). According to a WHO report (2002), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) will be the largest cause of death and disability in India by 2020. Overall, NCDs are emerging as the leading cause of deaths in India accounting for over 42% of all deaths (Registrar General of India). NCDs cause significant morbidity and mortality both in urban and rural population, with considerable loss in potentially productive years (aged 35–64 years) of life It is estimated that the overall prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, Ischemic Heart Diseases (IHD) and Stroke is 62.47, 159.46, 37.00 and 1.54 respectively per 1000 population of India. There are an estimated 25 Lakh cancer cases in India. According to the National Commission on Macroeconomics & Health (NCMH) Report (2005), the Crude Incidence Rate (CIR) for Cervix cancer, Breast cancer and Oral cancer is 21.3, 17.1 and 11.8 (among both men and women) per 100,000 populations respectively.

The main preventable risk factors for NCDs are tobacco consumption; poor dietary habits, sedentary life style, stress etc. National Family Health Survey III (2005-06), reported that the prevalence of current tobacco use was 57•0 % among men and 10.8% among women. Over 8 Lakh deaths occur every year due to diseases associated with tobacco use. The cancer registry data reveals that 48% of cancers in males and 20% in females are tobacco related and are totally avoidable. Common cancers caused by smoking tobacco are lung, larynx, pharynx and esophagus, while cancers of the mouth, tongue and lip are due to chewing and smoking tobacco.