Cancer cases rising by 2-3% annually in J&K: Minister

Jammu, March 07: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakina Itoo, on Friday informed the House that annual cancer cases in Jammu and Kashmir are increasing by 2 to 3 percent.

Responding to a starred question by NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq, the Minister said new cancer cases have been rising at this rate over the last three years.

"As per the population-based cancer registry, there have been 50,551 cancer cases in Kashmir and 13,912 cases in Jammu from 2018 to 2014," the Minister stated.

Drawing the House’s attention to the surge in cancer cases, the legislator cited a Greater Kashmir report that detailed the rising number of cancer patients and various types of cancers affecting them.

In response, the Minister acknowledged the concern and informed the House that specialized cancer treatment is currently available at SKIMS, Srinagar, and GMC, Jammu.

Facilities at SKIMS include radiation oncology, critical care ICU, Neuro ICU, CVTS ICU, Pulmonary ICU, and Pediatric ICU. GMC Jammu provides OPD services, chemotherapy, PET scans, radiology tests, digital radiography, and colonoscopy.

When asked whether the government could coordinate with hospitals outside Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate cancer treatment, the Minister said the government would consider the proposal.

However, she admitted that the ministry does not have data on the number of doctors deployed in different cancer departments.