Around 51,000 cancer cases are currently registered in Jammu and Kashmir, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, highlighting the growing need for accessible cancer prevention, early detection and treatment services across the Union Territory.
Responding to a question raised by MLA Mir Saifullah, Itoo said the government has constituted an Apex Committee to guide its efforts on cancer prevention, screening and treatment. The committee is expected to help strengthen coordination and develop measures aimed at improving cancer care across J&K.
As part of this initiative, the Director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, SKIMS, Soura, has been designated as the Nodal Officer. The appointment is intended to provide a central point of coordination for the government’s cancer-related programmes and initiatives.
According to the minister, gastrointestinal, lung and breast cancers represent a significant share of the malignancies reported in the region. The pattern highlights the importance of awareness, timely screening and access to appropriate medical services, particularly because early detection can play an important role in cancer management.
Jammu and Kashmir currently has two State Cancer Institutes. One operates at SKIMS, Soura, while the other is located at Government Medical College, Jammu. Both institutions were established with financial and technical support from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
The institutes provide specialised cancer-care services covering diagnosis, treatment and allied oncology support. The government has also been periodically strengthening existing facilities by upgrading infrastructure, medical equipment, manpower and specialised treatment services, depending on approved norms and the availability of resources.
For many families, however, cancer treatment is not only a medical challenge but also a major financial burden. Itoo said eligible patients can access cashless or free cancer treatment through the Ayushman Bharat scheme at empanelled government and private healthcare institutions, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
Additional assistance is available for poor and needy patients through the Cancer Treatment and Management Fund for Poor, or CTMFP. Financial support under the programme is provided according to prescribed criteria, guidelines and the availability of funds.
The government’s stated objective is to make cancer treatment more accessible while reducing the financial pressure faced by eligible patients and their families. The expansion of specialised facilities, screening initiatives and financial support mechanisms forms part of a broader effort to improve cancer care across Jammu and Kashmir.
Behind the official figure of around 51,000 registered cases are thousands of individuals and families dealing with diagnosis, treatment, uncertainty and difficult decisions. For them, access to timely medical attention can mean much more than another healthcare statistic. It can mean reaching a specialist sooner, beginning treatment without delay and getting support when the cost of care becomes overwhelming.
The latest figures also underline the importance of continued public awareness around cancer symptoms, screening and available treatment facilities. As J&K strengthens its cancer-care infrastructure, the focus remains on making specialised services easier to access and ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent eligible patients from seeking necessary treatment.
