Punjab continues to face a serious public health challenge, with nearly eight women dying of cancer every day, amounting to around 2,700 deaths annually, according to data shared by the Union health ministry in the Rajya Sabha during the recent Parliament session.
Over 13,000 women died of cancer in five years
Data compiled by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research under the National Cancer Registry Programme shows that between 2021 and 2025, as many as 13,299 women in Punjab lost their lives to cancer.
Breast cancer emerged as the leading cause, accounting for 56 per cent of female cancer deaths in the state. During this period, 7,186 women died of breast cancer, followed by 3,502 deaths due to cervical cancer and 2,611 due to ovarian cancer.
Cervical cancer deaths also rising
The data indicates an upward trend in cervical cancer fatalities across the region. In Punjab, cervical cancer deaths increased from 691 in 2021 to 710 in 2025. Similar trends were recorded in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, pointing to a broader regional concern.
Breast cancer deaths also rose steadily in neighbouring states, with Haryana reporting an increase from 1,652 deaths in 2021 to 1,738 in 2025, while Himachal Pradesh saw numbers rise from 433 to 442.
Younger women increasingly affected
Dr Raja Paramjit Singh, professor of radiation oncology at Government Medical College, Patiala, said the rise in cases among younger women is particularly worrying. He noted that breast cancer, once largely detected in women above 50, is now increasingly diagnosed in those aged 40–45.
He stressed that early detection through self-examination, regular screening, and preventive measures such as breastfeeding can significantly reduce risk. Cervical cancer, largely caused by HPV infection, remains preventable through vaccination and routine screening.
Government steps to address cancer burden
The Union ministry of health has said it is strengthening cancer care under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, with new district day-care cancer centres, state cancer institutes, and expanded screening for people above 30 years.