DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Increasing the prevalence of cancer is a major public health concern.
the overall self-reported prevalence of cancer is estimated to be 83 per
100,000 persons with a greater prevalence in urban areas (110 per
100,000 persons).[10] In addition to this, cancer prevalence for the
age-standardized rate is estimated to be 97 per 100,000 persons. These
estimates are also similar to the age-adjusted cancer incidence (94 per
100,000 persons) discussed.[24]
According to table 1, cancer prevalence is highest in urban India when
compared to rural India concerning its background characteristics
According to Table 2, the average hospitalization expenditure is greater
for the private sector when compared to the public sector following its
background characteristics
According to Table 3, the highest percentage of total cancer DALYs is
stomach cancer and the lowest percentage of total cancer DALYs is
testicular cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer in both sexes combined
In females, the highest percentage of total cancer DALYs is breast
cancer, and the lowest percentage of total cancer DALYs is non-melanoma
skin cancer. In males, the highest percentage of total cancer DALYs is
breast cancer and the lowest percentage of total cancer DALYs is
non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer, and malignant skin melanoma
The higher burden of cancer among the elderly cohort and in
demographically advanced states implies greater requirements of tertiary
care facilities. [25]
Cervical cancer is ranked as most frequently caused by cancer among
women which are mainly caused by sexually transmitted human
papillomavirus (HPV). About three fourth of sexually active adults are
likely to be affected by any one type of HPV which is suggested in many
studies.[26]
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics and Committee on immunization (IAPCOI)
recommends offering vaccines to only those who can afford but HPV
vaccination is of public health concern. Policies should be made to
check universal risk factors causing cancerous tumors such as tobacco
and alcohol, poor diet (insufficient fruit or vegetable intake),
overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, chronic infections from
Hepatitis B and C virus, and environmental risks including ionizing and
non-ionizing radiation. [27]
Between 1992 and 2012, India has a third-highest increase in alcohol per
capita (APC) among 40 countries.[28]
After the USA and China, India has the third-highest number of obese
individuals in the world. If detected at the right stage properly, half
of the cancer cases can be successfully treated which is suggested in a
few studies. [29]
In India, the detection rate is very low and about only 20 to 30 percent
of cases are diagnosed at Stage I and II respectively which indicates
the increase in general awareness regarding cancer symptoms, causes,
prevention, and measure and treatment options. Although, in 1984 with
four major goals i.e. primary prevention of tobacco-related cancers,
early detection of cancers, augmentation of treatment facilities, and
establishing palliative care is formulated by the National Cancer
Control Programme (NCCP) was formulated.[30]
National Cancer Registry Programme (1982) has been providing authentic
information on cancer incidence since more than 30 years, but the
functioning of NCRP is according to just 28 Population-Based Cancer
Registries (PBCRs)
It is important to reiterate that cancer treatment in India should be
received as a priority both to improve cancer survival and to protect
households from financial catastrophe. As this study mainly aims at
analyzing out of pocket expenditure and financial hardships on cancer
inpatient treatment, information on availability and cost of drugs,
access to modern techniques of treatment is also desirable, estimates on
catastrophic expenditure at different thresholds (i.e. 10%, 20%, and
30%) across different population groups does-not reveal the information
about the willingness of households to spend on cancer care. [31]