Cancer prevention and control in India can get a boost through primary health care-based approach: A review

Abstract

India has a rising burden of cancer with an estimated 70% of the cancers caused by modifiable and preventable risk factors. This review was conducted to document the status, analyse the situation and propose the way forward for cancer prevention in India. A desk review of the online databases and reports from the government websites was conducted. The ongoing initiatives including cancer registries, medical and health education and training, and community-based programmes were analysed. This review was done from July 2019 to February 2021. Cancers of the breast, cervix, and lip and oral cavity are the three most common malignancies, with distinct regional variations in India and account for 34% of the 1.15 million cancer cases diagnosed annually. The major initiatives were focused initially on cancer treatment and prevention was added nearly a decade ago. Even with those, the scope and coverage of cancer prevention and treatment services has remained in hospitals and urban settings. India needs to build upon the ongoing approach which seems to be focused on “tracking the cancer, teaching the future and helping the masses” by implementing non-vertical primary healthcare cancer prevention and control approach. Cancer prevention should be made an integral part of the health interventions, rapidly extended to primary healthcare services and facilities, linked with specialised treatment facilities, as India aims for universal health coverage. The opportunity provided by the Ayushman Bharat Programme launched in 2018 should be leveraged for rapid expansion and effective coverage of cancer prevention and treatment interventions in India.

Keywords

• cancer prevention
• cancer registry
• india
• primary healthcare
• universal health coverage