National Cancer Awareness Day 2021: History and significance for India

National Cancer Awareness Day: November 7, across the nation, is celebrated as National Cancer Awareness Day. Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan first announced National Cancer Awareness Day in September 2014.

The day was first announced in September 2014 by then Union health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. It is observed on November 7 every year to coincide with the birth anniversary of Marie Curie, known for her contribution to the fight against cancer. November 7 is observed annually as National Cancer Awareness Day in India to raise awareness about cancer, of which 1.1 million cases are reported in the country each year.

National Cancer Awareness Day was first announced in September 2014 by then Union health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, with November 7 chosen for the occasion to coincide with the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Marie Curie, who was born on this date in 1867, and whose works led to the development of radiotherapy to treat cancer.

An important step in the country’s fight against this deadly disease began in 1975, with the launch of the National Cancer Control Programme, which was rolled out to provide cancer treatment facilities in the nation. 10 years later, in 1984-85, the scheme’s vision was revised to focus on early detection and prevention of cancer.

Hence, on November 7 every year, people are encouraged to visit hospitals, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) centres, and municipal clinics for free cancer screening. The day also sees the circulation of booklets and leaflets to raise awareness among the masses on detection of early symptoms and prevention of cancer.

In India, the need for early detection of this disease stems from the fact that a large number of cases are those in which it is detected in the patient when it is already at an advanced stage, thus reducing the chances of survival.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death globally, accounting for nearly 10 million fatalities in 2020. Cancer in the lungs, colon and rectum, liver, stomach and breast, respectively, was the most common cause of death due to the disease, last year.

National Cancer Awareness Day 2021: A special day

Cancer is considered one of the deadliest diseases for humans. The disease is the second leading cause of death globally. But are you fully aware of the disease yet? Cancer is unwanted and uncontrollable growth in the group of cells inside the body. It happens when the body’s normal mechanism stops and prevents old cells to die and new cells to grow.

However, with advancements in science, Cancer treatments have also been more advanced urging awareness in people even more significant.

What is History of National Cancer Awareness Day?

The day was first announced by the Indian Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan in September 2014. He announced that 7th November will be observed as National Cancer Awareness Day every year to generate awareness about early detection and avoid leading cancer-causing lifestyles.

The day is celebrated on a particular day to mark the birth anniversary of the Novel-prize winning scientist Madame Curie. Born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867, Marie Curie is remembered for her discovery of radium and polonium, and her huge contribution to the fight against cancer. Her work led to the development of radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer.

What is the Significance of National Cancer Awareness Day?

The day aims at informing everyone about the prevention of cancer and to create awareness about early detection of cancer disease, and cancer prevention, in the general public. Originally initiated in 1975, the National Cancer Control Programme aims to provide cancer treatment facilities in India. India reports around 1.1 million new cancer cases annually, and two-thirds of the cancer cases are usually diagnosed when the disease reaches an advanced stage, thereby reducing the chances of a patient’s survival.

That cervical cancer can be prevented by the means of vaccine.

Vice President of India – M. Venkaiah Naidu on cancer 

On July 1, 2021, the Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu called for adopting a multi-pronged strategy to arrest the growing incidence of cancer–from launching an aggressive awareness campaign on the need to lead a healthy lifestyle to hold regular health screening camps at the community level. Emphasizing collective action, Shri Naidu said, “Let us act together to prevent cancer and save lives.”

The Vice President made these remarks while virtually inaugurating the IFCPC 2021 World Congress hosted by the Indian Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. He also launched a special edition of ‘Indian Journal of Gynaecological Oncology’ during the event.

Noting that cervical cancer is ranked as the second most common cancer in Indian women, the Vice President pointed out that cervical cancer is both preventable and curable. He said that early diagnosis through routine screening of apparently healthy women has led to a phenomenal reduction in the global burden of the disease. “If we adopt a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen and treat cervical cancer, it can be eliminated as a public health problem,” he added.

Cervical cancer can be prevented by the means of vaccine. The Anti-HPV vaccine administered to young girls has been seen as a proven tool in the prevention of cervical cancer.

Shri Naidu urged private hospitals to organize regular visits of healthcare specialists to rural areas and spread awareness amongst people on the preventive measures, early symptoms of cervical cancer, the importance of early detection and the benefits of the HPV vaccine.

In 2020 alone, nearly 10 million people died of cancer worldwide. “With around 70 percent of cancer deaths occurring in low-to-middle income countries, the burden of cancer-related morbidity and mortality is higher for them and has grave implications to the economy of these nations,” he added.

Pointing out that at least one-third of the common cancers are preventable, Shri Naidu expressed his concern that in a majority of cases, cancers are being detected at an advanced stage which makes the treatment and recovery that much more challenging.

Highlighting the plight of cancer patients and their family members, Shri Naidu said that during cancer treatment, patients and their families not only get affected physically and mentally but monetarily too. “In many cases, families end up exhausting their life savings to meet the expenses,” he added. Referring to the high costs of cancer treatment, the Vice President said there was an urgent need to bring down the cost of cancer treatment.

Calling the Ayushman Bharat scheme a major flagship initiative of the Government of India to provide comprehensive insurance coverage to 10.74 crore needy and vulnerable families, Shri Naidu said that it would provide a cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across public and private impaneled hospitals in India.

Cancer Centres across the Country

The Government of India is implementing “Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities Scheme” to assist States/UTs in setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. Till July 2019, proposals for setting up of 16 SCIs and 20 TCCCs have been approved, including one SCI in Odisha. State/UT wise list is given below:

27 Regional Cancer Centres were also set up under the erstwhile National Cancer Control Programme. Oncology in its various aspects has focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). Setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata has also been approved. All these will enhance the capacity for prevention and treatment of cancer in the country.

List of State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) approved under Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities scheme of NPCDCS.

 (Rs. in crore)

(India CSR)