Government Initiatives

There are 17 regional cancer research centers in India at present. Their main functions are: Cancer Detection and Diagnosis, Provision of Therapy, After care and Rehabilitation, Education and Training, Cancer Registration and Research. Coordination with the medical colleges and the general health infrastructure is an essential feature. The core requirements of a Regional Cancer Center are divisions of surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology with support from department of anesthesiology, pathology, cytopathology, hematology, biochemistry and radio diagnosis with appropriate equipment and staff.

Goals

1. The primary goal: prevention of tobacco related cancers.
2. Secondary goal: prevention of cancer of the uterine cervix, mouth, breast etc.; and
3. Tertiary goal: prevention includes extension and strengthening of therapeutic services including pain relief on a national scale through regional cancer centers and medical colleges (including dental colleges).

IX Plan focuses on

1. Identification of IEC activities so that people seek care at the onset of symptoms.
2. Provision of diagnostic facilities in primary and secondary care level so that cancers are detected at early stages when curative therapy can be administered.
3. Filling up of the existing gaps in radiotherapy units in a phased manner so that all diagnosed cases do receive therapy without any delay as near to their residence as feasible.
4. IEC to reduce tobacco consumption and avoid life style which leads to increasing risk of cancers.

Organizational Structure

It would be at two levels-Central Government and State Government- with linkage through the Central Council of Health. It is suggested that respective executive committee should be assisted by a newly constituted National Cancer Control Board at the central and state levels by the corresponding Cancer Control Boards. The full time officer-in-charge of cancer control is an oncologist who heads the Cancer Control Cell at the Directorate General of Health Services.

Oncology wings in Medical Colleges

The target of the National Cancer Control Program is to develop such Oncology wings in all medical colleges in the country. Medical Colleges would form an important link between the regional centers on one hand, and the more peripheral health infrastructure (District Hospitals, Tehsil Hospitals, PHCs) on the other hand. Financial assistance has been released for medical colleges / hospitals for installation of cobalt therapy facilities. For that Rs. 2 crore per institution has been provided under this scheme.

District Cancer Control Program

This program was launched in 1990-91 and under this program each state and union territory is advised to prepare their projects on health education, early detection, and pain relief measures. For this they can get up to a Rs. 15 lakh one time assistance and a Rs. 10 lakh for four years recurring assistance.

The district program has five elements:

1. Health education.
2. Early detection.
3. Training of medical & paramedical personnel.
4. Palliative treatment and pain relief.
5. Coordination and monitoring

The District programs are linked with Regional Cancer Centers/ Government Hospitals/ Medical Colleges. For effective functioning each district where program is started, has one District Cancer Society that is chaired by local Collector/Chief Medical Officer. Other members are Dean of the medical college, Zila Parishad representative, NGO representative etc.

National Cancer Registry Program

National Cancer Registry Program was launched in 1982 by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to provide true information on cancer prevalence and incidence.

Objectives

1. To generate authentic data on the magnitude of cancer problem in India;
2. To undertake epidemiological investigations and advice control measures; and
3. Promote human resource development in cancer epidemiology.

Tobacco Free Initiatives

WHO established the Tobacco Free Initiatives (TFI) in 1998. Long term mission of TFI of
WHO is to reduce smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption in all countries and among all groups, and thereby reduce the burden of disease caused by tobacco.

The Goals of the TFI are:

1. Galvanize global support for evidence based tobacco control policies and actions;
2. Build new partnerships for action and strengthen existing ones;
3. Heighten awareness of the need to address tobacco issues at all levels of society;
4. Accelerate the implementation of national, regional and global strategies;
5. Commission policy research to support rapid, sustained and innovative actions; and
6. Mobilize resources to support required action.

WHO has developed partnership with UNICEF, World Bank, CDC, Environment Protection Agency, US National Institute of Health, International NGOs, Private Sector, and Academic Centers for tobacco prevention work. In 53rd and 54th World Health Assembly, all member states reaffirmed for the actions required to control tobacco.