Jammu Kashmir Logs 2,665 Cervical Cancer Deaths in 11 Years | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has seen an estimated 2,665 cervical cancer deaths between 2014 and 2023, according to data submitted to the Lok Sabha on Friday. The figures, part of a decade-long national registry, show a steady increase from 233 deaths in 2014 to 301 in 2023. Nationally, India reported 35,691 cervical cancer deaths during the same period, reflecting a persistent upward trend across the country.

For Jammu and Kashmir, the annual mortality numbers show incremental growth: 233 in 2014, 241 in 2015, 248 in 2016, 256 in 2017, 261 in 2018, 269 in 2019, 278 in 2020, 285 in 2021, 293 in 2022, and 301 in 2023. Ladakh, which became a separate Union Territory in 2019, reported seven deaths annually for most years.

The government has highlighted that under the National Health Mission, cervical cancer screening has expanded sharply in recent years. Nationwide, screening reached over 21 lakh in 2020–21, nearly 59.5 lakh in 2021–22, 1.86 crore in 2022–23, 1.15 crore in 2023–24, and 1.75 crore in 2024–25. By 30 November 2025, another 1.27 crore women had been screened.

Funding for Jammu and Kashmir under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases has also increased over the years, with Rs 595.67 lakh approved in 2019–20 and Rs 1,016.40 lakh in 2024–25, while actual expenditure has varied annually. On HPV vaccination, the Ministry said capacity-building of medical and paramedical staff is underway in preparation for eventual rollout.