The steady rise in cancer cases in Jammu and Kashmir demands urgent policy attention and a stronger healthcare infrastructure. With cases crossing 12,000 in 2025 and over 59,000 recorded in just five years, the region is clearly facing a growing non-communicable disease burden that cannot be ignored.

True, part of this increase may be attributed to improved diagnostics and better reporting. But the reality is that lifestyle changes, environmental pressures, dietary patterns, and tobacco consumption are quietly contributing to a long-term public health challenge that Kashmir is only........

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