Alarming Cancer Mortality: Over 31,000 Women Lost in North India
A devastating total of 31,792 women succumbed to cancer across the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh between 2021 and 2025, averaging approximately 17 deaths per day. This grim statistic, compiled by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research under the National Cancer Registry Programme, was recently disclosed by the Union health ministry in the Rajya Sabha in response to a query from MP R Girirajan.
State-Wise Breakdown of Fatalities
During this five-year period, Punjab recorded 13,299 deaths attributed to breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers. Haryana accounted for 14,696 fatalities, while Himachal Pradesh reported 3,797. Breast cancer emerged as the predominant killer, responsible for around 56% of all deaths in these regions.
Rising Death Toll Across Cancer Types
Breast cancer fatalities showed a consistent upward trajectory:
- In Punjab, deaths increased from 1,418 in 2021 to 1,457 in 2025.
- Haryana witnessed a rise from 1,652 to 1,738 deaths.
- Himachal Pradesh recorded an increase from 433 to 442 deaths.
Cervical cancer deaths also climbed steadily:
- Punjab reported 691 fatalities in 2021, rising to 710 in 2025.
- Haryana's deaths climbed from 620 to 652.
- Himachal Pradesh saw a marginal increase from 163 to 166.
A similar trend was observed in ovarian cancer:
- Punjab's deaths rose from 515 in 2021 to 529 in 2025.
- Haryana's fatalities increased from 593 to 623.
- Himachal Pradesh recorded a rise from 156 to 159 deaths.
Increasing Incidence of New Cancer Cases
The mortality figures correspond with a steady rise in new cancer diagnoses across all three states:
Breast cancer cases showed notable increases:
- In Punjab, new cases jumped from 3,297 in 2021 to 3,388 in 2025, representing a 2.8% increase.
- Haryana recorded a sharper rise from 3,842 to 4,043 cases, marking a 5.2% increase.
- Himachal Pradesh saw cases go up from 1,007 to 1,028, an increase of over 2%.
Cervical cancer cases also edged upward:
- Punjab reported an increase from 1,279 cases in 2021 to 1,314 in 2025.
- Haryana's cases rose from 1,148 to 1,208.
- Himachal Pradesh witnessed an increase from 301 to 307 cases.
In ovarian cancer:
- Punjab's cases increased from 844 to 868.
- Haryana's cases rose from 972 to 1,022.
- Himachal Pradesh recorded an increase from 255 to 260 cases.
Expert Calls for Urgent Shift to Early Detection
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Gupta, President of the Strategic Institute for Public Health Education and Research, emphasized the critical need for a paradigm shift from late-stage treatment to early detection. "States must significantly expand population-based screening for breast and cervical cancers, especially among women above 30 years of age, and ensure that referrals and treatment begin without delay," Dr. Gupta stated.
He further stressed that "strengthening primary healthcare, improving diagnostic capacity at district hospitals, and sustained public awareness to break the stigma around women's cancers are critical." Dr. Gupta warned that unless prevention and early diagnosis are prioritized alongside treatment, these alarming numbers will continue to escalate.
Government Initiatives to Combat Cancer
The Union Ministry of Health informed Parliament that states and Union Territories are receiving technical and financial support under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases as part of the National Health Mission. This program focuses on:
- Strengthening infrastructure for cancer care.
- Developing human resources in oncology.
- Expanding screening, early diagnosis, referral, and treatment systems.
- Promoting health awareness for non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
Significant infrastructure developments include:
- Establishment of 770 district NCD clinics across the country.
- Setting up 364 district day-care cancer centres.
- Creation of 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres.
- Approval of 297 additional district day-care cancer centres for 2025–26 to enhance access to cancer care at district hospital levels.
A nationwide population-based screening initiative has been implemented, targeting individuals above 30 years for screening of common non-communicable diseases, including breast, cervical, and oral cancers. To strengthen advanced cancer care:
- 19 State Cancer Institutes have been approved or established.
- 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres are operational.
- Cancer treatment facilities have been integrated into all 22 new AIIMS institutions.
These comprehensive measures aim to address the growing cancer burden through improved prevention, early detection, and accessible treatment options across India's healthcare landscape.
