"As per National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research, the number of cancer cases is gradually increasing in the country," the minister said in a written reply during the question hour.

As many as 535,767 cancer deaths were reported this year, compared to 524,911 deaths last year. In 2009, 514,470 people died of the disease.

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths with 89,224 people dying of the disease, followed by Maharashtra with 50,989 deaths, and Bihar where 43,864 people died of cancer.

The number of cancer deaths in some other states were - West Bengal (40,199), Tamil Nadu (39,127), Rajasthan (30,976), Andhra Pradesh (37,144), Madhya Pradesh (27,214), Gujarat (26,588), Karnataka (25,531), Punjab (12,575), Haryana (11,708) and Assam (12,822).

In another written reply, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the incidence of new cancer cases every year in the country is about 11 lakh.

Azad said funds are given to states to provide assistance to poor families suffering from life threatening disease.

"During the current year, 2,202 cancer patients have been given financial assistance," he added.

He also said parliamentarians recommended 241 cancer cases for financial assistance.

"The working group on disease burden, non-communicable diseases set up by the Planning Commission for the 12th Plan, recommended development of 20 state cancer institutes as centres of excellence besides three national cancer institutes," Azad said.

"However, this will be dependent on final approval of the Planning Commission and availability of resources," he added.

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