Jammu, Feb 13: A total of 32,425 cancer cases have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir over the last three years, with lung, breast, oral, cervical, prostate and pancreatic cancers emerging as the most commonly detected types, the Government informed the Legislative Assembly on Friday.
As per the data shared by the Health & Medical Education Department in a written reply to a question tabled by Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para regarding treatment of terminal diseases.
The reply stated that in Jammu Division, 6,804 cancer cases were recorded over the last three years — 2,036 in 2023, 2,187 in 2024 and 2,581 in 2025.
In Kashmir Division, 25,621 cases were reported during 2022, 2023 and 2024 — 8,021 in 2022, 8,621 in 2023 and 8,979 in 2024.
The total number of cancer cases reported across Jammu and Kashmir stood at 10,657 in 2023 and 11,166 in 2024, as per the official figures.
The Government said the most common cancers detected in the Union Territory include lung, breast, oral, cervical, prostate and pancreatic cancers. It further stated that no specific uncommon disease of major public health significance has been reported from any particular district.
Highlighting steps taken for prevention and early detection, the Government informed that comprehensive cancer care services are being provided at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, and the State Cancer Institute (SCI) at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu.
These institutes offer medical, surgical and radiation oncology services along with advanced diagnostic facilities including PET-CT, CT scan, MRI and other specialized services.
The Government said awareness and screening programmes are being conducted through outpatient services and health camps, besides implementation of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS).
Specialized oncology services are currently available at Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar, while such services are not available at district hospitals or Community Health Centres (CHCs).
The reply also stated that PET scan facility is presently available only at SKIMS, Soura, and not at GMC Srinagar or its associated hospitals.
The Government further informed that two NABL-accredited Food Testing Laboratories are functional in Jammu and Srinagar, though both are facing staff shortages, with 11 posts vacant in each laboratory out of 19 sanctioned posts.
The matter was placed before the House as part of the broader discussion on terminal diseases and cancer care facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNC)
