Srinagar: Cancer cases in Jammu & Kashmir have increased by 50% at Paras Health Srinagar from September 2023 to January 2025, highlighting the growing need for early detection, awareness, and improved access to advanced cancer care. Experts at the hospital attribute this alarming trend to lifestyle changes, environmental pollution, and improved diagnostic awareness. The most commonly diagnosed cancers include breast, gastrointestinal, and thyroid cancers, with smoking, obesity, air pollution, and physical inactivity playing significant roles.
Currently, Kashmir sees over 10,000 new cancer cases annually, with breast cancer being the most prevalent among women and lung cancer most common among men. Gastrointestinal tumors have the highest overall incidence, with a rising number of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) cases. Pediatric tumors are also a growing concern, with 600 cases reported per year, along with 320 cases of blood cancer.
Dr Sheikh Zahoor Ahmad, Associate Director Surgical Oncology at Paras Health Srinagar, said “Cancer is no longer just an age-related disease; we are diagnosing an increasing number of younger patients, particularly those in their 40s and 50s. With advancements in early detection and treatment, many cancers are now curable. The key challenge is raising awareness—people need to understand that timely intervention can significantly improve survival rates.”
Paras Health Srinagar remains at the forefront of cancer care as the only private hospital in J&K with an ICMR-sponsored Hospital-Based Cancer Registry. The hospital has achieved several medical milestones in the region, including performing first-of-its-kind cancer surgeries such as complex oncovascular resections for borderline pancreatic cancer and IVC tumors. They have also pioneered advanced reconstruction techniques for head and neck cancers, such as 3D reconstruction for maxillary cancer. Furthermore, the hospital has introduced state-of-the-art nerve monitoring and ICG fluorescence imaging for thyroid cancer and sentinel node biopsies in breast cancer, marking a first in the valley.
The hospital is also equipped to provide emergency cancer care, with patients experiencing life-threatening oncological emergencies, such as SVC syndrome, receiving same-day histological diagnosis and chemotherapy initiation. Pioneering treatments like immunotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy have benefitted over 40 patients since the hospital’s inception.
In addition, Paras Health Srinagar conducts regular Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards to ensure each patient’s treatment plan is developed by a team of experts. The hospital is the only private facility in J&K offering a 24-hour blood bank, providing critical support for cancer patients undergoing treatment, including specialized components like SDP, FFP, and Cryoprecipitate.
With the government’s commitment to establishing cancer daycare centers across India, the future of oncology care looks promising. However, experts stress that preventive healthcare, lifestyle modifications, and regular screenings remain crucial in reducing cancer risk. A proactive approach can significantly improve survival rates and help combat the rising cancer burden in the region.
