State Cancer Institute SKIMS marks World Cancer Day
Srinagar, Feb 4: The State Cancer Institute, SKIMS organised a day-long awareness programme to commemorate World Cancer Day under this year’s global theme, “United by Unique.”
The event highlighted the institute’s expanding spectrum of cancer care, research progress, and ongoing infrastructure upgradation aimed at strengthening cancer management across the region. The programme focused on public awareness, early detection, prevention, and inspiring survivor stories reflecting courage and resilience. Experts also traced the evolution of cancer care services at SCI SKIMS, from advanced diagnostics to cutting-edge treatment modalities.
The Head of Radiation Oncology presented data from the SKIMS Hospital-Based Cancer Registry and the Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR), operational since 2018. The data indicates a slow but steady rise in cancer cases. SKIMS caters to more than 50% of cancer patients from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Over the past decade, SKIMS has treated more than 50,000 cancer patients from Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh regions. In 2025 alone, over 5,700 cancer patients received treatment at the institute. Population-based data revealed that in the last eight years, over 60,000 cancer cases were diagnosed across ten districts of Kashmir, with approximately 16,000 deaths reported — suggesting improved survival outcomes.
Five-year survival rates of cancer patients at SKIMS have exceeded 40%, attributed to early disease presentation, timely diagnosis, improved access to healthcare, and advanced treatment facilities. In his address, Director SKIMS & EOSG, M. Ashraf Ganie, said SCI SKIMS has consolidated oncology services within a dedicated facility, ensuring integrated care through advanced radiotherapy and surgical oncology units. Key expansions include high-volume chemotherapy day-care services and improved patient accommodation facilities.
He highlighted advancements in stem cell transplantation, with successful procedures for leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and other benign and malignant conditions. SKIMS has also initiated Total Body Irradiation and haplo-identical stem cell transplantation for various complex diseases.
