World Cancer Day: Kashmir Records Sharp Rise in Cancer Cases
Over 7,000 new patients added annually at SKIMS as hospitals flag late diagnosis, tobacco use and gaps in screening
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: On World Cancer Day, health experts in Kashmir have sounded an alarm over a sustained and troubling rise in cancer cases, describing the trend as a growing public health crisis that is stretching the Valley’s limited oncology infrastructure.
According to official figures, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura registers more than 7,000 new cancer patients every year, with clinicians reporting a steady increase over the past decade.
At Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, oncology departments continue to witness a heavy daily rush, with thousands of new cases annually, many of them detected at advanced stages.
“About 60 to 70 per cent of patients reach us late, often when the disease has already spread,” said a senior oncologist at SKIMS. “Late presentation remains our biggest challenge. With timely screening and early diagnosis, survival rates could improve significantly.”
Doctors said the cancer profile in Kashmir shows clear patterns. Breast cancer has emerged as the leading cancer among women, while lung, gastrointestinal, oesophageal, colorectal and head-and-neck cancers are more prevalent among men. Medical professionals have also flagged a worrying rise in cases among younger age groups, pointing towards changing lifestyles, increasing tobacco consumption and dietary habits.
Health officials said tobacco use—both smoking and smokeless forms—continues to be a major contributor.
“The widespread use of tobacco products is directly linked to the high incidence of head-and-neck and lung cancers,” said an oncologist at GMC Srinagar, adding that environmental factors and physical inactivity may also be playing a role.
Experts cautioned that the actual cancer burden in Kashmir may be higher than official figures suggest, as limited screening facilities in districts, delayed referrals and social stigma lead to underreporting and late diagnosis, particularly in rural and remote areas.
On World Cancer Day, hospitals across Kashmir organised awareness programmes, counselling sessions and screening camps to emphasise the importance of early detection. Doctors urged people to seek immediate medical attention for warning signs such as unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, abnormal bleeding, non-healing ulcers or long-standing lumps.
“Cancer is no longer a rare disease, but it is increasingly treatable if diagnosed early,” a senior health official said, calling for expanded screening programmes, strengthened district-level oncology services and sustained public awareness campaigns to curb the rising cancer burden in the Valley.
