A total of 31,792 women died of cancer across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh between 2021 and 2025, averaging nearly 17 deaths every day, with breast cancer accounting for about 56% of the fatalities, Parliament was informed.
The data was compiled by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research under the National Cancer Registry Programme and shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Punjab, Haryana record highest fatalities
Between 2021 and 2025, Punjab reported 13,299 deaths, Haryana 14,696, and Himachal Pradesh 3,797 from breast, cervical and ovarian cancers. Breast cancer remained the leading cause of death in all three states.
In Punjab, breast cancer deaths rose from 1,418 in 2021 to 1,457 in 2025. Haryana recorded an increase from 1,652 to 1,738, while Himachal Pradesh saw fatalities rise from 433 to 442 over the same period.
Deaths due to cervical and ovarian cancers also showed a steady upward trend across the states.
Rising cases mirror mortality trend
The mortality figures reflect a consistent rise in new cancer cases. Breast cancer incidence increased by nearly 5.2% in Haryana, 2.8% in Punjab, and over 2% in Himachal Pradesh during the five-year period. Cervical and ovarian cancer cases also registered gradual increases.
Public health expert Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta called for an urgent shift towards early detection and population-based screening, especially for women above 30 years. He stressed that strengthening primary healthcare, improving district-level diagnostics and sustained awareness were critical to reversing the trend.
Government expands cancer care network
The Union health ministry informed Parliament that states are receiving technical and financial support under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. Across India, hundreds of district NCD clinics, day-care cancer centres and tertiary cancer facilities have been set up, with more approved for 2025–26.