Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Feb 16: The rising burden of cancer in Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a major public health concern, with nearly 10,000 patients registered at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar since 2017.
According to figures, as many as 1558 cases were registered at the hospital last year, indicating that the trend continues to rise.
Official data reveals a consistent jump in patient numbers over the past nine years as in 2017: 491 cases were registered followed by 2018: 1,032 cases, 2019: 801 cases, 2020: 650 cases (dip during COVID-19 period), 2021: 1,010 cases, 2022: 1,169 cases, 2023: 1,640 cases, 2024: 1,659 cases and in 2025 1,558 cases were registered.
Officials said that on average, four to five new cancer patients are being registered every day at the hospital, highlighting the growing pressure on oncology services.
An oncologist at the Radiation Oncology Department of SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, described the situation as deeply concerning.
He said there is a sharp rise in new cancer cases across Jammu and Kashmir. The most common tumour in males is lung cancer, while in females it is breast cancer.
The doctor warned that the high incidence of lung cancer is directly linked to tobacco consumption.
“This scenario is particularly grim because lung cancer has a strong association with smoking and other tobacco products. It reflects how widespread tobacco use is in our society and how urgently we need mass awareness about its dangers,” he added.
On breast cancer, the oncologist pointed to lifestyle-related factors.
“Lack of physical activity and rising obesity levels are among the major contributors. The good news is that both these common cancers are largely preventable if people adopt healthier lifestyles,” he said.
Doctors stressed the importance of educating the public about early warning signs and preventive care. “People must be aware of cancer symptoms, undergo timely medical evaluations, and make lifestyle changes. Early detection significantly improves survival and treatment outcomes,” he said.
Despite the rising caseload, the department currently offers a wide range of modern radiation therapies, including: Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), Brachytherapy and CT simulation services
The hospital also has dedicated inpatient wards, day-care chemotherapy facilities, blood transfusion units, and specialised care for terminally ill patients.
“All types of tumours in adults and children are being treated here efficiently,” the oncologist said.
In a major boost to diagnostic services, officials said that the process to install a PET Scan machine is currently underway.
“We are hopeful that the PET Scan facility will become operational this year, which will greatly enhance cancer detection, staging, and treatment planning,” the doctor said.
Doctors also highlighted the need for introducing Proton Beam Therapy, one of the most advanced forms of radiotherapy that minimises damage to surrounding healthy tissues and offers better outcomes, especially in complex cancers.
“Currently, this technology is available at only a few centres in India. Given the rising cancer burden in Jammu and Kashmir, such advanced treatment options should be considered here at the earliest,” the oncologist said.
