Maintaining the Goa government is aware about an alarming increase in various types of cancer cases in the state, Health Minister on 26th July told the Assembly that 242 cases of the dreaded had been reported till date in 2019.

In a written reply tabled on the floor of the House, he said so far 242 cases of cancer in Goa had been reported this year, while the number was 837 in 2018. "The Goa Cancer Registry was operational as a joint venture with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, from 2012 to 2014. "However, it was not functional between 2015-2017, so data of the cancer cases (during that period) is not available, the minister said.

In 2012, 961 cancer cases were reported in Goa, while the number increased to 1,081 in 2013 before dropping to 712 in 2014, the reply said. The government has created awareness about cancer by holding screening of people through detection camps, house to house visits by health workers and other measures, he said.

He said the government plans to launch breast cancer screening using hand-held devices. People have been made aware regarding risk factors, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and management of cancers through health education in the community and involvement of mass media, including Doordarshan, the minister added.