Minister for health and care for family Satya Kumar Yadav.
After a survey of the NCD-3, which was taken over throughout the State to assess the prevalence of non-transferable diseases (NCD), including cancer, diabetes, and BP between the population of the state, the Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Care Satya Kumar Yadav announced that further survey, NCD-4, will only start on September.
While cancer survey has been carried out in the state as part of the NCD-3 since November 2024, the results have shown that cancer prevalence is too low in Andhra Pradesh. He said that cancer was the fourth main cause of death in the country and felt that the reasons for low AP prevalence must be properly explored by further survey.
Satya Kumar Yadav said that in the ongoing survey held at a three-day workshop, Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav has been completed for the NCD-4 survey.
About 3 crore people were tested for three types of cancer: oral, breasts and uterus. Approximately 2.90 crore people have been tested for oral cancer and 2 crore for breast and cervical cancer, the Minister said, adding the results that only 0.35% of the proven people were diagnosed with one of these cancer. The number is low compared to the incidence of cancer in the country, he added.
The Minister said the results could be caused by lack of awareness of cancer or because of the “lack of skills” between medical staff or for lengthy questionnaires or misconceptions among people. This could also be the lack of coordination between field workers and “lack of supervision of higher healthcare workers”.
Although the NCD-3 survey did not cause the desired results, it cannot be said that it failed. It is commendable that the survey was carried out for 3 people Crore despite the challenges. The survey provided the Ministry to understand its own strengths and weak points that can be solved in the NCD 4 survey.
After lost his mother and cancer siblings, the Minister said he was aware of the consequences of cancer and expressed concern that approximately 75,000 new cancer cases were reported every year and 30,000 people die every year.
He said that the NCD-4 survey will start after the ongoing survey in August.
Published – July 24, 2025 21:56
