SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded close to 1.5 lakh cancer cases over the past ten years, according to data placed before the Lok Sabha. The Union Government, citing official estimates from the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Programme, said the decade-long trend reflects a steady rise in the region’s cancer burden, interrupted only during the pandemic years when reporting systems were disrupted.
Responding to a question by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav said India now accounts for the third-highest number of cancer cases globally over the last ten years. He also tabled the State and Union Territory-wise estimates for 2015 to 2024, which show Jammu and Kashmir registering 1,44,960 cancer cases cumulatively over the decade. Ladakh, which began reporting numbers only after 2019, added 1,489 cases during this period.
Year-on-year, Jammu and Kashmir’s cancer incidence moved in a largely upward direction. The estimated tally stood at 14,864 cases in 2015, rising to 15,652 in 2016, 16,480 in 2017 and 17,351 in 2018. In 2019, the number dropped sharply to 12,396 due to incomplete enumeration during the onset of Covid-related disruptions. The dip continued marginally into 2020 with 12,726 cases.
The figures began climbing steadily again from 2021, with 13,060 cases reported that year, followed by 13,395 in 2022, 13,744 in 2023 and 14,112 in 2024—bringing the cumulative ten-year total close to 1.5 lakh.
Ladakh’s separate reporting began in 2019 with 279 cases. The numbers then rose gradually: 286 in 2020, 294 in 2021, 302 in 2022, 309 in 2023 and 318 in 2024.
Jadhav said the Government has strengthened cancer screening, early detection and treatment infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. Screening for oral, breast and cervical cancers has been integrated into routine services at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, while district-level facilities have been expanded through NCD clinics and Day Care Centres.
For treatment access, he said the region is part of the nationwide plan to operationalise District Day Care Cancer Centres during 2025–26, aimed at reducing delays and easing travel burdens for patients across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Financial assistance continues through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund, with affordable medicines supplied under Janaushadhi and AMRIT.
The Government has also begun capacity-building for the rollout of the cervical cancer vaccine and expanded digital cancer tracking through the National NCD Portal, Jadhav informed the House.
