Cancer Cases in J&K Rise from 12,726 to 14,112 in Five Years: ICMR

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a steady increase in cancer cases over the past five years, rising from 12,726 cases in 2020 to 14,112 cases in 2024, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), the annual figures indicate a consistent upward trend: 13,060 cases in 2021, 13,395 in 2022, and 13,744 in 2023, reflecting an average yearly growth of around 3 percent.

The Union Government highlighted that multiple technology-driven initiatives are already in place for early detection and treatment under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). These include screening facilities, NCD clinics, and District Day Care Cancer Centres.

Further, cancer treatment services have been approved in all new AIIMS institutes, covering diagnostic, medical, and surgical care. Under the Union Budget 2025–26, the government has also sanctioned over 200 new Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) nationwide to enhance access to timely cancer care.

These measures aim to strengthen early detection, provide specialized care closer to patients’ homes, and improve overall treatment outcomes across the region. (with additional inputs from agencies)