Chandigarh/New Delhi, March 11: The Union Health Ministry informed Parliament on Tuesday that cancer cases and deaths in Punjab reached new highs in 2025, with the state losing approximately 70 residents to the disease daily. Total fatalities for the year reached nearly 25,000, surpassing the death tolls in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
The data revealed a steady climb in the state’s cancer burden over the last four years. The ministry declared that the number of patients diagnosed with the illness grew to 43,196 in 2025, up from 39,251 in 2021. Health officials asserted that the high mortality rate remains a significant concern, as over half of the individuals diagnosed with cancer in the state eventually lost their lives.
Regarding the cause of the spike, the ministry stated that industrial pollution and pesticide exposure are being closely monitored. They noted that the Indian Council of Medical Research recently highlighted how contaminated water sources are contributing to specific types of cancer in rural and industrial belts. This follows earlier findings that identified respiratory and digestive tract cancers as the most lethal for men in the region.
To combat the rising numbers, the government has focused on expanding specialized medical personnel and facilities. The ministry asserted that the Department of Atomic Energy, through the Tata Memorial Centre, is providing high-quality care via hospitals in Sangrur and New Chandigarh. Dr. Balbir Singh, the State Health Minister, declared that Punjab is becoming a hub for oncology services. He asserted that the current infrastructure, featuring 300 beds in New Chandigarh and 150 in Sangrur, ensures that patients no longer have to seek external aid. The ministry added that decentralized Day Care Cancer Centres are being developed to align medical infrastructure with the specific needs of patients in high-burden zones.
