The Madhya Pradesh government is set to establish a state cancer registry board to strengthen early detection of cancer cases and ensure the availability of accurate, real-time data for better diagnosis and treatment planning.
At present, cancer-related data in the state is compiled under the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), which is coordinated from Bengaluru. This system gathers information from 63 reporting centres, including seven comprehensive cancer care units, along with government and private hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic facilities.
Data from the National Health Mission (NHM) indicates a steady rise in certain cancers across the state. Among men, cases of mouth, laryngeal, and prostate cancers have increased significantly over the years. Among women, breast, ovarian, oral, and gall bladder cancers have shown a notable upward trend.
NHM Director Dr Saloni Sadana said the process to form a state-level registry board is already underway. “A dedicated state registry will help maintain structured and up-to-date cancer patient data, allowing the health department to improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Unlike the current arrangement under the national network, a state board will provide more comprehensive and timely data,” she said.