4 days ago
Low cancer rate in A.P. prompts govt. to go for another exclusive survey
Following the NCD Survey-3 that was taken up across the State to assess prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD), including cancer, diabetes, and BP among the people of the State, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav has announced that another survey, NCD-4, would be taken up from September focussing only on cancer.
While a cancer survey is already being conducted in the State as part of the NCD-3 from November 2024, the results showed that cancer prevalence is too low in Andhra Pradesh. He said cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in the country, and felt the reasons for low prevalence in A.P. have to be properly examined through another survey.
Speaking at a three-day workshop being held for health staff for the NCD-4 survey in Mangalagiri on July 24, Thursday, Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav said while as part of the ongoing survey, the State government had set a target of screening 4.10 crore people, so far, 70% of the target has been completed.
Around 3 crore people have been screened for three types of cancer: oral, breast and cervical. Around 2.90 crore people have been screened for oral cancer, and 2 crore for breast and cervical cancers, the Minister said, adding the results showed that only 0.35% of the screened people were diagnosed with one of these cancers. The number is low when compared to the cancer incidence in the country, he added.
The Minister said the results could be due to lack of awareness among people about cancer or due to 'lack of skills' among the health staff, or due to lengthy questionnaires or misconceptions among people. Lack of coordination among field-level workers and 'lack of supervision by senior health workers' could also be the reasons.
While the NCD-3 survey has not brought out the desired results, it cannot be said that it has failed. It is commendable that the survey was carried out for 3 crore people despite challenges. The survey has given the department an understanding of its own strengths and weak points that can be addressed in the NCD survey 4.
Having lost his mother and a sibling to cancer, the Minister said he is aware of the consequences of cancer, and expressed concern that around 75,000 new cancer cases are reported in the State every year and 30,000 people die annually.
He said the NCD-4 survey would begin after the ongoing survey ends in August.
