LANCET REPORT ON CANCER (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: India ranked second in terms of cancer burden in Asia in 2019. The country recorded 1.2 million new cases and 929,600 deaths, according to a study published by The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal.

Highlights of the Study

• China had the highest cancer burden in the continent in 2019 — 4.8 million new cases and 2.7 million deaths. 
• Japan ranked third with 887,300 new cases and 437,700 deaths.
• Overall, cancer seems to be a major public health threat in Asia.
• Top Five Cancers in most Asian Countries: Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (both sexes), breast cancer (among females), colon and rectum cancer (both sexes), stomach cancer (both sexes), and prostate cancer (among males) were among.
• According to the Study: The high prevalence of smokeless tobacco such as khaini, gutkha, betel quid, and paan masala is a public health concern in South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Steps Taken by India to Control Tobacco Consumption 

• India adopted the tobacco control provisions under WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
• The Promulgation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance, 2019 prohibits Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement of e-Cigarettes.
• The Government of India launched the National Tobacco Quitline Services (NTQLS) which have the sole objective to provide telephone-based information, advice, support, and referrals for tobacco cessation.
• mCessation Programme is a similar initiative which uses mobile technology for tobacco cessation. It was launched in 2016 as part of the government’s Digital India initiative.