Srinagar, Dec : Cancer cases in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have shown a steady rise over the past five years, raising concerns over diagnostic gaps, treatment capacity, and overall preparedness for cancer care in the two Union Territories.
Official data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveal a year-on-year increase in new cases. In Jammu & Kashmir, reported cases rose from 12,726 in 2020 to 13,060 in 2021, 13,395 in 2022, 13,744 in 2023, and 14,112 in 2024. Ladakh mirrored the trend, with cases increasing from 286 in 2020 to 318 in 2024.
Health experts attribute the rise to lifestyle changes, delayed diagnoses, and limited awareness about early screening. “Cancer is quietly emerging as one of the most pressing health challenges in the region,” officials said, urging improved early detection, expansion of oncology services, and greater public awareness.
Though the figures are smaller compared to J&K, the gradual increase is significant for a region with limited specialised health infrastructure. Officials said there is a need to boost early detection, expand oncology services, and improve public awareness.
According to the ICMR, the rise in reported cancer cases is linked to better diagnostic facilities, longer life expectancy, a growing elderly population, and improved health awareness and health-seeking behaviour.
The ministry said there has been significant increase in the classical risk factors associated with NCDs including cancer such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, insufficient physical activities, unhealthy diets, consumption of high salt, sugar and saturated fats, etc.
The health ministry provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories across the country under the National Program for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM).
The program focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for NCDs including cancer.
It said that under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPNCD), 770 District NCD Clinics, 364 District Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCC), and 6,410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres have been set up in the country.
Moreover, 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centers (TCCCs) have been set up in different parts of the country to provide advanced cancer care.
The ministry has said cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS with diagnostic, medical and surgical facilities. Under the National Program for Palliative Care (NPPC) services like OPD, IPD, referral and home based palliative care is being provided at district level.
As per announcement of Union Budget 2025-26, more than 200 Day Care Cancer Centers (DCCCs) have been approved for across the country.
Dr. Sameer Kaul, Surgical Oncologist at Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, said, “The situation in India mirrors countries like Bangladesh, Brazil and other Southeast Asian countries. Fund availability is critical for NCDs, including cancer. Given the rising burden, urgent measures are needed, but we are not fully on track.”
Medical oncologists stressed the urgent need to establish dedicated Medical and Surgical Oncology departments in newly set-up medical colleges to meet the growing demand for cancer care in the region.
“We need to focus on medical insurance, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, as treatment is inadequate and people do not have money to afford it,” Dr Sameer said.
Experts emphasised that medical insurance coverage must be strengthened, particularly in J&K, where many patients cannot afford costly treatment. They also highlighted persistent manpower and infrastructure challenges in the Medical Oncology Department of GMC Srinagar and newly established medical colleges, widening the cancer treatment gap.
He said new cancer treatments are expensive and even the wealthiest governments in the US have struggled to provide them due to the high financial requirements.
As per doctors, the medical oncology department of GMC Srinagar and the newly established medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face manpower and infrastructure issues that have widened the cancer treatment gap.
