Breaking News:Women’s Fight Against Cancer in J&K– What Just Happened

Dr Deepak Bharti

In the mountains and valleys of Jammu & Kashmir, women have long embodied resilience-nurturing families, sustaining communities, and preserving cultural strength through generations. Today, alongside these traditional roles another quiet but vital movement is emerging: women stepping forward in awareness, prevention and care in the fight against cancer. It is important to recognise both the challenges and the growing empowerment of women in Jammu & Kashmir in relation to cancer-whether as patients, caregivers, survivors, health workers or medical professionals.
Cancer Burden in Women – Jammu & Kashmir
(GLOBOCAN-India estimates & Regional Cancer Registry reports that there are 12,000-13,000 new cancer cases annually in Jammu & Kashmir. Women constitute ~45-48% of total cancer cases in the UT. Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in J&K. Cervical cancer remains the second most common female cancer. Majority of women present in Stage III-IV, indicating delayed diagnosis.
There is rising trend of ovarian and gastrointestinal cancers among women. Tobacco exposure (including passive smoke & hookah) contributes to lung and head-neck cancers in women. Screening coverage for breast & cervical cancer in J&K remains below national targets. Cancer cases in J&K have shown a steady year-on-year increase in the past decade. Regional registry data show higher breast cancer detection in urban Kashmir and lower screening uptake in rural districts.
* Incidence & Prevalence Trends
Over the past two decades: Breast cancer incidence has doubled in urban India. Cervical cancer is declining slowly but still high. Younger women increasingly affected. Rural-urban gap in diagnosis persists. Improved survival has increased prevalence (women living with cancer).
* Major Cancers in J&K Women: Together they account for majority of female cancers
* Breast
* Cervix
* Ovary
* Uterus
* Lung
* Causes & Risk Factors: Cancer in women arises from multiple factors.
* Lifestyle
* Delayed childbirth
* Obesity
* Physical inactivity
* Tobacco exposure
* Alcohol
* Reproductive & hormonal
* Early menarche
* Late menopause
* Fewer pregnancies
* No breastfeeding
* Infections
* HPV ? cervical cancer
* Hepatitis B ? liver cancer
* Environmental & social
* Pollution
* Passive smoking
* Limited screening access
* Low awareness
* Prevention: The Most Powerful Tool and up to 40-50% of cancers in women are preventable.
Key preventive actions:
* HPV vaccination (Young girls / Unmarried females)
* Tobacco avoidance
* Healthy weight
* Physical activity
* Breastfeeding promotion
* Pollution reduction
* Early treatment of precancerous lesions
* Screening: Saving lives through early detection. Early detection dramatically improves survival.
Recommended screening:
BREAST CANCER:
Breast Self-examination monthly
Clinical examination yearly
Mammography after 40 years of age
CERVICAL CANCER:
Pap smear / HPV test….Start 30-65 years (Every 3-5 years)
ORAL CANCER:
Visual exam in tobacco users.
” Challenges in J&K: Screening coverage in India remains low-this must change.
” Late presentation: nearly 60-70% of female cancers in India are detected at advanced stages, significantly reducing survival.
” Stigma and fear
” Rural access gaps
” Financial barriers
” Shortage of screening programs
” Awareness deficit
” The Way Forward:
” To reduce cancer in Indian women.
” Expand HPV vaccination nationally
” Strengthen screening programs
” Improve rural oncology access
” Promote lifestyle awareness
” Empower women’s health literacy
” Integrate cancer into primary care
The Changing Health Awareness Among Women
Until recently, cancers affecting women-especially breast and cervical cancer were often diagnosed late in the region due to stigma, limited awareness and hesitation in seeking medical help. Social barriers, modesty concerns and lack of female-friendly screening environments contributed to delays. Community outreach programs, women health workers, and local awareness campaigns have begun to break long-standing silence around cancer.
Women as Caregivers and Survivors
In Jammu & Kashmir, women carry a dual burden in cancer-both as patients and as primary caregivers for affected family members. Their emotional strength sustains households during prolonged illness. Survivor-led awareness has proven especially powerful in rural communities, where personal stories often influence health behaviour more than formal campaigns.
The Path Forward: Prevention and Empowerment
For women of Jammu & Kashmir, the most powerful tools against cancer are awareness and early detection. Equally important is societal support-families encouraging women to prioritise their health, communities reducing stigma and healthcare systems ensuring accessible, respectful and affordable cancer services.
Celebrating Strength on Women’s Day
The women of Jammu & Kashmir have always symbolised endurance. Today, as they become more informed, proactive and vocal about health, they are also becoming stronger defenders of their own wellbeing. On this International Women’s Day 2026, we honour the courage of every woman in the region who seeks screening despite hesitation, pursues treatment despite hardship supports a loved one through illness or dedicates her career to healing others.
Message for International Women’s Day: Women’s health is national health.
Cancer in women is not only a medical issue-it is a social priority. Healthy women build healthy families and a stronger nation. The rising burden of Cancer among women in India and Jammu & Kashmir leads to an urgent call for Prevention and Early Detection, as it reflects disparities in awareness, access and prevention. With timely screening, vaccination and early treatment, thousands of lives can be saved. Protecting women’s health is fundamental to protecting families, communities and the future of society.
(The author is Cancer Super-Specialist SMVDNSH, Katra)