Srinagar, Feb. 18 -- Cancer has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, with more than 32,000 reported cases in recent years. The numbers reveal a stark reality: nearly four out of every five cases are concentrated in the valley, underscoring both the scale of the crisis and the vulnerability of the population. The steady rise in reported cases year after year paints a grim picture of a disease that is tightening its grip on communities already burdened by fragile infrastructure and limited resources.

The most commonly detected cancers; lung, breast, oral, cervical, and prostate, reflect a mix of lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors. Gastro-intestinal malignancies, including esophageal,...