Srinagar, Mar 9: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a steady increase in cancer cases in recent years, with 12,024 cases reported in 2025, according to data released by the Government of India.
The official figures indicate a gradual rise in the incidence of cancer across J&K, raising concerns among health experts about the growing burden of the disease in the region.
The data shows that a total of 59,286 cancer cases were recorded in J&K between 2021 and 2025.
According to the figures, 11,683 cases were reported in 2021, which increased to 11,764 in 2022.
The number further rose to 11,869 in 2023 and 11,946 in 2024, before reaching 12,024 cases in 2025.
Medical experts say the increasing numbers reflect a broader trend seen in many developing regions where lifestyle changes, environmental factors, and improved diagnostic facilities are contributing to higher detection rates.
A senior medico at SKIMS said cancer continues to remain one of the most challenging diseases affecting humanity.
“Cancer is a challenging opponent, very unpredictable and at times very harsh. It does not differentiate between age, sex, nations, colours, castes, religions or geographies, it involves all. But there is always a silver lining, while we may not have complete control over it, we are far from powerless,” the senior doctor said.
He said that over the last two to three decades medicine had made extraordinary progress in cancer care, including improved diagnostic facilities and advances in treatment through medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery.
“Cure rates for many types of cancers have improved but the rise in incidence and cancer-related deaths pose a significant challenge to most of the developing world. Kashmir is not an exception. There has been a significant rise in cancer cases across J&K over the last 15 years. Our priority should be prevention, early detection and treatment,” the medico sais.
Health experts said prevention remains one of the most effective strategies to control cancer.
They said that nearly 50 percent of cancers could be prevented by reducing modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and sedentary lifestyle. Doctors advise people to avoid tobacco in any form, limit alcohol intake, adopt a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly and reduce the consumption of red meat. Vaccination against infections linked to cancer such as HPV and hepatitis B is also recommended.
“Preventing cancer is not about eliminating risk altogether. It’s about stacking the odds in our favour, one conscious decision at a time,” the doctor said.
Experts also stressed the importance of early diagnosis, saying early recognition of warning symptoms can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Some symptoms that require medical attention include persistent cough or blood in sputum, a lump in the breast, loss of appetite and difficulty in swallowing, unusual constipation or blood in stools, blood in urine, swelling of lymph nodes, prolonged weakness or anaemia, abnormal bleeding in post-menopausal women, unusual persistent pain, prolonged fever and unexplained weight loss.
