Cancer has emerged as a consequential public health crisis in Punjab. As per data shared by Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal during a Special Mention in first phase of the ongoing Budget Session in the Parliament, cancer is claiming lives of eight women on an average everyday in Punjab. The number is highly alarming and calls for an immediate action.
As per the latest data presented by the Union Ministry of Health in the Rajya Sabha, nearly 2,700 women have died of cancer in Punjab within the span of a year in 2025, making an average of eight women dying of cancer every single day in the state. The report further mentions that between 2021-2025, a total of 13,299 women lost their lives to cancer in the state.
The same report further presents a break down and mentions that the highest number of fatalities were reported from breast cancer that accounted for a total of 7,186 deaths during this period. This was followed by cervical cancer with 3,502 deaths while uterus cancer claimed 2,611 lives. The numbers are a testament to the rising menace of cancer and calls for an urgent action and policy changes.
The report not only sheds light on the number of rising cases but also highlights another emerging pattern among patients. It was revealed that the cancer cases are gradually rising among women aged between 50 to 56 years. This pattern indicates that cancer now was no longer confined to old age and has become a larger concern.
