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]