Cancer has become one of the ten leading causes of death in India. It is estimated that there are nearly 2 - 2.5 million cancer cases at any given point of time. Over 7 lakh new cases and 3 lakh deaths occur annually due to cancer. Data from population-based registries under National Cancer Registry Programme indicate that the leading sites of cancer are oral cavity, lungs, oesophagus and stomach amongst men and cervix, breast and oral cavity amongst women.
Cancers of oral cavity and lungs in males and cervix and breast in females account for over 50% of all cancer deaths in India. WHO has estimated that 91 per cent of oral cancers in South-East Asia are directly attributable to the use of tobacco and this is the leading cause of oral cavity and lung cancer in India. Summary of results from National Cancer Registry Programme is provided in the box. National Cancer Control Programme was started in 1975-76. Its
Goals & Objectives are: -
1. Primary prevention of cancers by health education regarding hazards of tobacco consumption and necessity of genital hygiene for prevention of cervical cancer.

2. Secondary prevention by early detection and diagnosis of cancers, for example, cancer of cervix, breast cancer and the oro-pharyngeal cancer by screening methods and patients' education on self examination methods.

3. Strengthening of existing cancer treatment facilities, which were inadequate.

4. Palliative care in terminal stage cancer. Existing Schemes under National Cancer Control Programme:
Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organisations: This scheme is meant for IEC activities and early detection of cancer. Under the scheme financial assistance upto Rs.5.00 lakh is provided to the registered