As many as 68 people died of cancer every day in Punjab in 2025 with the incidence of the disease and mortality both rising over the years.Overall trends for the country also showed spikes as 2,380 Indians lost their lives daily to cancer, with the maximum mortality of 343 in Uttar Pradesh.According to fresh data on cancer trends tabled by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Parliament, Haryana witnessed 50 daily deaths in 2025 and Himachal Pradesh 15 due to cancer.Statistics show a cumulative incidence of 15,69,793 cases in India during 2025 and 8,68,588 estimated cases of mortality due to cancer.Punjab saw 43,196 cases of cancer in 2025 with 24,886 deaths due to the disease, while Haryana witnessed 33,395 cases and over 18,387 deaths the same year, according to the Health Ministry data.Uttar Pradesh saw the maximum 1,25,184 cancer mortality cases during 2025, against the incidence of 2,26,125 estimated cases reported during the year.The Health Ministry data revealed that the incidence of cancer cases has been continuously rising in the northern states.In Punjab, the cases increased from 39,251 in 2021 to 43,196 in 2025. In Haryana, the count increased from 30,015 to 33,395 during the same period.During the same year, Himachal Pradesh saw 9,761 cases and 5,382 deaths due to the disease.A 2021 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study had revealed that breast cancer was the deadliest among women in Punjab.Estimated cancer deaths in Punjab rose from 22,786 in 2021 to 23,301 in 2022, 23,818 in 2023, 24,369 in 2024 and 24,886 in 2025. This means every year, nearly 25,000 people in Punjab are dying of cancer — a figure that translates to roughly 68 deaths every day.Cancer mortality in Haryana also rose from 16,543 in 2021 to 18,387 in 2025.Likewise in Himachal Pradesh, the number of cases rose steadily from 8,978 in 2021 to 9,164 in 2022, 9,373 in 2023, 9,566 in 2024 and 9,761 in 2025.Despite its relatively small population, Chandigarh recorded a consistent rise in cancer incidence. Estimated cases went from 1,053 in 2021 to 1,183 in 2025.Cancer deaths in the union territory rose from 582 in 2021 to 644 in 2025.At the national level, the total estimated cancer incidence across India rose from 14,26,447 in 2021 to 15,69,793 in 2025 — an increase of nearly 1,43,000 cases over five years. Cancer mortality nationally rose from 7,89,202 in 2021 to 8,68,588 in 2025.Among the largest burden states nationally, Uttar Pradesh tops the list with an estimated 2,26,125 new cases in 2025, followed by Maharashtra (1,30,465), West Bengal (1,21,639), Bihar (1,18,136) and Tamil Nadu (1,00,937). In terms of mortality, UP again leads with an estimated 1,25,184 deaths in 2025, followed by Bihar, West Bengal and Maharashtra.“The ICMR has informed that a review has been published in 2025, stating that the contamination of water sources by pollutants such as industrial waste, pesticides, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals is a significant public health concern. The review provides a critical analysis of the current evidence, summarising the association of water contamination, including industrial waste, pesticides and heavy metals, with rectal and colorectal cancer,” Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav informed Parliament.