Chandigarh: A total of 31,792 women succumbed to cancer across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh between 2021 and 2025, averaging approximately 17 deaths per day. Breast cancer emerged as the deadliest form, accounting for around 56% of these fatalities, according to data compiled by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) under the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP).
State-Wise Breakdown of Cancer Deaths
The Union health ministry shared these alarming statistics in the Rajya Sabha in response to a query by MP R Girirajan. Over the five-year period, Punjab recorded 13,299 deaths due to breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers. Haryana accounted for 14,696 fatalities, while Himachal Pradesh reported 3,797 deaths. Breast cancer remained the leading cause of death in all three states, with fatalities showing a consistent upward trend.
Rising Mortality Rates Across Cancer Types
In Punjab, breast cancer deaths increased from 1,418 in 2021 to 1,457 in 2025. Haryana witnessed a rise from 1,652 to 1,738, and Himachal Pradesh saw an increase from 433 to 442 deaths. Cervical cancer fatalities also climbed steadily, with Punjab reporting 691 in 2021, rising to 710 in 2025. Haryana's deaths went from 620 to 652, while Himachal Pradesh experienced a marginal uptick from 163 to 166. Ovarian cancer followed a similar pattern, with Punjab's deaths rising from 515 to 529, Haryana's from 593 to 623, and Himachal Pradesh's from 156 to 159.
Increasing Incidence of New Cancer Cases
The mortality figures reflect a parallel rise in new cancer cases across the region. Breast cancer incidence increased in all three states, with Punjab seeing new cases jump from 3,297 in 2021 to 3,388 in 2025, a 2.8% increase. Haryana recorded a sharper 5.2% rise, from 3,842 to 4,043 cases, while Himachal Pradesh reported over a 2% increase, from 1,007 to 1,028 cases.
Cervical cancer cases also edged upward, with Punjab reporting an increase from 1,279 to 1,314, Haryana from 1,148 to 1,208, and Himachal Pradesh from 301 to 307. In ovarian cancer, Punjab's cases rose from 844 to 868, Haryana's from 972 to 1,022, and Himachal Pradesh's from 255 to 260 during the same period.
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 need for an urgent 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," he stated.
Dr. Gupta added, "Strengthening primary healthcare, improving diagnostic capacity at district hospitals, and sustained public awareness to break the stigma around women's cancers are critical. Unless prevention and early diagnosis are prioritised alongside treatment, these numbers will continue to rise."
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 (NP-NCD) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM). This programme focuses on:
- Strengthening infrastructure
- Developing human resources
- Expanding screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for non-communicable diseases, including cancer
Significant progress has been made, with 770 district NCD clinics, 364 district day-care cancer centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres established nationwide. Additionally, 297 district day-care cancer centres were approved for 2025–26 to enhance access to cancer care at the district hospital level.
Nationwide Screening and Advanced Care Efforts
A population-based screening initiative has been rolled out across the country, targeting individuals above 30 years for screening of common non-communicable diseases, including breast, cervical, and oral cancers. To bolster advanced care, 19 State Cancer Institutes, 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres, and cancer treatment facilities in all 22 new AIIMS have been approved or set up.
These measures aim to address the growing cancer burden, but experts stress that sustained efforts in prevention, early detection, and public awareness are essential to curb the rising tide of cancer deaths among women in North India.
