Cancer cases across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are on the rise, with official data showing an average of 38 new detections every day.According to Kashmir Media Service, a senior official said cancer has emerged as a major public health challenge in the territory, with hospitals witnessing a sharp increase in patients suffering from lung, breast, gastrointestinal, cervical and blood cancers. 

Health experts said the absence of a dedicated cancer policy has led to delayed diagnosis, inadequate screening in some cases and heavy dependence on treatment facilities outside the occupied Jammu and Kashmir, adding to the financial and emotional burden on families. Official figures underline the scale of the challenge.

As per Indian Health Ministry data, occupied Jammu and Kashmir recorded 14,112 cancer cases in 2024 alone. Over the past five years, the total number of reported cases has reached 67,037. The UT registered 12,726 cases in 2020, followed by 13,060 in 2021, 13,395 in 2022 and 13,744 in 2023.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)