Srinagar: More than 32,000 cancer cases have been recorded across Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, with nearly 79 percent of the total cases reported from the Kashmir Valley alone, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the Assembly on Friday.
Responding to an unstarred question raised by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para, the minister said that 25,621 cases were registered in the Kashmir division between 2022 and 2024. In comparison, 6,804 cases were reported from the Jammu division between 2023 and 2025.
She stated that gastro-intestinal malignancies — including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, and colorectal region — remain among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the region.
Rising Trend Across Both Divisions
Data compiled by the Health and Medical Education Department shows a steady year-on-year increase in cases.
In the Kashmir division, 8,021 cases were reported in 2022, 8,621 in 2023, and 8,979 in 2024. Meanwhile, the Jammu division recorded 2,036 cases in 2023, 2,187 in 2024, and 2,581 in 2025, reflecting a similar upward trend.
Strengthened Treatment Infrastructure
Highlighting government measures, the minister said advanced cancer care facilities are available at major institutions, including Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, and the State Cancer Institute at Government Medical College Jammu.
These centers provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment covering medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and clinical hematology. They are equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic technologies such as PET-CT scans, CT scanners, dedicated CT simulators, and advanced radiotherapy systems.
The PET scan facility is currently operational at SKIMS, while another unit worth ₹16 crore is being procured for GMC Srinagar. Additionally, private hospitals such as Narayana Super Specialty Hospital Kakryal and American Oncology Institute ASCOM also provide PET scan services in the Jammu division.
Focus on Prevention and Awareness
The government has intensified awareness drives to promote early detection and prevention. Public health campaigns emphasize recognizing early warning signs and reducing risk factors through tobacco cessation, healthier diets, and lifestyle modifications.
Cancer patients are being treated at SKIMS, Government Medical Colleges and their associated hospitals, district hospitals, and Community Health Centres (CHCs). Severe cases are referred to tertiary care institutions for specialized treatment.
The minister reiterated that the administration remains committed to expanding healthcare infrastructure and strengthening early diagnosis systems to address the growing cancer burden in the Union Territory.
