Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 31: Amid a steady rise in cancer cases across Jammu and Kashmir, the administration in the Union Territory is mulling to frame and implement a comprehensive cancer policy.
A top health official said that the cancer policy aimed at prevention, early detection, treatment and long-term care of cancer patients is expected to be framed soon and ensure its implementation.
He said that proposal will be framed with the active involvement of top cancer experts of the country including oncologists and public health specialists of the top institutions of the country.
Another official said that Cancer has emerged as a major public challenge in J&K with hospitals witnessing an increase inflow of patients suffering from different forms of the disease particularly cancers of the lung, breast, gastrointestinal tract, cervix and blood.
He said presently cancer care in J&K is largely managed through general health programmes, tertiary hospitals, and referral systems outside the UT.
However, experts believe that the substance of a dedicated, structured cancer policy has resulted in delayed diagnosis, inadequate screening in some cases and over dependence on treatment facilities outside the J&K.
“A comprehensive cancer policy is the need of the hour. It will help in streamlining diagnostic infrastructure, improving access to treatment and ensuring palliative care at the grassroot level,” said an oncologist.
He said that policy must place strong emphasis on preventive healthcare and early detection, including population based screening programmes for common cancers.
“Early detection can save lives and significantly reduce treatment costs and the policy must aim to integrate cancer screening into primary healthcare services especially in rural and remote areas,” he said.
The new policy, according to the official, is expected to address the infrastructure gaps, including the expansion of oncology departments in government medical colleges, setting up of district level diagnostic facilities and improving availability of new cancer related facilities and treatments.
Doctors said that there is financial and emotional burden of cancer on families and there is need for financial assistance, psychological support and palliative care and rehabilitation services for patients and survivors and these all things need to be addressed.
They hoped that this step will significantly strengthen cancer care in the region and if implemented effectively, a well designed cancer policy can transform the way cancer is prevented and treated in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a worrying rise in cancer cases, with official figures revealing that an average of 38 new detections every day.
As per Union Health Ministry data, J&K recorded 14,112 cancer cases in 2024 alone, taking the total number of reported cases over the past five years to 67,037.
In 2020, J&K registered 12,726 cancer cases, followed by 13,060 in 2021. The number climbed further to 13,395 in 2022 and 13,744 in 2023 before reaching 14,112 in 2024.
