Jammu

More than 32,000 cancer cases have been reported across Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, with nearly 79 per cent of them recorded in the Kashmir division, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the Assembly on Friday.

Replying to an unstarred question by PDP MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para, the minister said 25,621 cancer cases were registered in the Kashmir division between 2022 and 2024, while 6,804 cases were reported from the Jammu division during 2023–2025.

According to data compiled by the Health and Medical Education Department, the most commonly detected cancers in the Union Territory include lung, breast, oral, cervical and prostate cancers. Gastro-intestinal malignancies such as cancers of the oesophagus, stomach and colorectal region are also frequently diagnosed.

In Kashmir, the number of reported cases rose steadily from 8,021 in 2022 to 8,621 in 2023 and 8,979 in 2024. A similar upward trend was observed in Jammu division, where 2,036 cases were recorded in 2023, increasing to 2,187 in 2024 and 2,581 in 2025.

Highlighting measures taken for prevention, early detection and treatment, the minister said specialised institutions such as Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and the State Cancer Institute provide comprehensive multidisciplinary cancer care. Services include medical, surgical and radiation oncology, as well as clinical haematology.

She added that these centres are equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic facilities such as PET-CT, CT scanners, dedicated CT simulators and modern radiotherapy systems.

Public awareness programmes focusing on early warning signs of cancer and modifiable risk factors—such as tobacco use, dietary habits and lifestyle choices—are also being prioritised to aid prevention and early intervention, the minister said.

Cancer patients are treated at SKIMS, Government Medical Colleges and their associated hospitals, district hospitals and community health centres. Patients requiring specialised care are referred to tertiary institutions as needed.

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The minister further noted that PET scan facilities are currently operational at SKIMS, Soura, while another unit is being procured for Government Medical College, Srinagar, at a cost of ₹16 crore. In the private sector, PET scan services are available at Narayana Super Specialty Hospital and the American Oncology Institute in the Jammu division.