Chandigarh: A total of 31,792 women died of cancer across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh between 2021 and 2025, averaging about 17 deaths a day, with breast cancer accounting for around 56% of these fatalities.The data — compiled by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) under the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) — were shared by the Union health ministry in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question by MP R Girirajan. In the five years, Punjab recorded 13,299 deaths due to breast, cervical and ovarian cancers. Haryana accounted for 14,696 fatalities, while Himachal Pradesh reported 3,797 during the same period. Breast cancer remained the biggest killer in all the states. In Punjab, the fatalities rose from 1,418 in 2021 to 1,457 in 2025. Haryana saw an increase from 1,652 to 1,738, while Himachal Pradesh recorded a rise from 433 to 442 deaths over the five years. Deaths due to cervical cancer also increased steadily, with Punjab reporting 691 in 2021, rising to 710 in 2025. Haryana’s fatalities climbed from 620 to 652, while Himachal Pradesh witnessed a marginal increase from 163 to 166. A similar trend was visible in ovarian cancer. Punjab’s deaths rose from 515 in 2021 to 529 in 2025, Haryana’s from 593 to 623, and Himachal Pradesh’s from 156 to 159. RISING NUMBER OF CASES The mortality figures mirror a consistent rise in new cancer cases. Breast cancer incidence increased across all three states. In Punjab, new breast cancer cases jumped from 3,297 in 2021 to 3,388 in 2025, an increase of about 2.8%. Haryana recorded a sharper rise, from 3,842 to 4,043 cases, an increase of 5.2%. In Himachal Pradesh, cases went up from 1,007 to 1,028, an increase of over 2%. Cervical cancer cases also edged up. Punjab reported an increase from 1,279 cases in 2021 to 1,314 in 2025, Haryana from 1,148 to 1,208, and Himachal Pradesh from 301 to 307. In ovarian cancer, Punjab’s cases increased from 844 to 868, Haryana’s from 972 to 1,022, and Himachal Pradesh’s from 255 to 260 during the same period. Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta, president, Strategic Institute for Public Health Education and Research, called 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. Strengthening primary healthcare, improving diagnostic capacity at district hospitals, and sustained public awareness to break the stigma around women’s cancers are critical,” Dr Gupta said, adding that unless prevention and early diagnosis are prioritised alongside treatment, these numbers will continue to rise. The Union ministry of health told Parliament that states and UTs are being provided 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). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, developing human resources, expanding screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment and health promotion for non-communicable diseases, including cancer. Across the country, 770 district NCD clinics, 364 district day-care cancer centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres were set up. In addition, 297 district day-care cancer centres were approved for 2025–26 to improve access to cancer care at the district hospital level. A population-based screening initiative was also rolled out nationwide, targeting people above 30 years of age for screening of common non-communicable diseases, including breast, cervical and oral cancers. To strengthen advanced care, 19 State Cancer Institutes, 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres, and cancer treatment facilities in all 22 new AIIMS were approved or set up. FOR GRAPHIC BREAST CANCER BIGGEST KILLER PUNJAB AILMENT | FATALITIES Breast cancer | 7,186 Cervix uteri | 3,502 Ovarian cancer | 2,611 Total | 13,299 HARYANA Breast cancer | 8,476 Cervix uteri | 3,180 Ovarian cancer | 3,040 Total deaths | 14,696 Himachal Pradesh Breast cancer | 2,189 Cervix uteri | 822 Ovarian cancer | 786 Total | 3,797 Estimated incidence Breast cancer State | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Punjab | 3,297 | 3,319 | 3,342 | 3,365 | 3,388 Haryana | 3,842 | 3,892 | 3,942 | 3,993 | 4,043 Himachal | 1,007 | 1,013 | 1,018 | 1,023 | 1,028 Cervix uteri State | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Punjab | 1,279 | 1,288 | 1,296 | 1,305 | 1,314 Haryana | 1,148 | 1,163 | 1,178 | 1,193 | 1,208 Himachal | 301 | 303 | 304 | 306 | 307 Ovary State | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Punjab | 844 | 850 | 856 | 862 | 868 Haryana | 972 | 984 | 997 | 1,010 | 1,022 Himachal | 255 | 256 | 257 | 259 | 260
