New Delhi, June 15: The Union health ministry will screen people above 30 years of age nationwide for breast, cervix and oral cancers as part of efforts to curb complications and premature deaths from non-communicable diseases, health officials said today. The initiative to control non-communicable diseases which is already screening people for high blood pressure and diabetes will soon be expanded to cover these three cancers, the officials said, providing details of a programme the ministry had announced last year. The screening, to be offered through the government’s health sub-centres, primary health centres, and district hospitals, will initially be rolled out in 100 districts. “We estimate that people above the age of 30 make up about 38 per cent of the country’s population – so when this is expanded to cover all of India, it could be the world’s biggest screening programme,” a senior health official said. The official said the programme would now involve training community health workers, auxiliary nurse-midwives, nurses and medical officers in the public health system across the country to screen people and manage follow-up action required if a diagnosis is made. Public health studies suggest that non-communicable diseases contribute to over 60 per cent of India’s premature mortality. The early detection of each of these diseases followed by adequate management is expected to reduce complications and premature mortality, an official said. Diabetes and high blood pressure are themselves risk factors for heart disease and stroke and for complications leading to kidney failure. Early detection of these conditions as well as each of the three cancers will also help reduce the cost of treatment, officials said. “Appropriate care after diagnosis is essential,” said an official. Patients with high blood pressure or diabetes will be referred to MBBS-qualified doctors, while patients diagnosed with cancers or pre-cancerous lesions will be referred to district hospitals for treatment by specialists.