New Delhi: The prevalence of cancer in the country has increased by five per cent between 2012 and 2014 due mainly to a larger population of aged persons, unhealthy diet and lifestyles and use of tobacco products, Lok Sabha was on Friday told.

In a written reply, Health Minister JP Nadda said "National Cancer Registry Programme is being implemented by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) based on 29 population-based and 29 hospital-based registries". "The increase in the number of cancer cases in the country may be attributed to a larger ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles, use of tobacco and tobacco products, unhealthy diet, etc," he said.