Understanding the Prevalence of Stomach Cancer Crisis in Kashmir

• Insha Shirazi
• Comments 0
• 19 Nov 2025

Share

Share

WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Copy Link Close

Esophageal cancer continues to occur at alarmingly high rates in the region, with smoking significantly increasing risk among men. Official data shows that stomach cancer is more common in Kulgam, Shopian, and parts of Anantnag in Kashmir reports Insha Shirazi. The Study Epidemiological trends and patterns of gastric cancer in the kashmir Valley,India published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, revealed that a significant increase in stomach cancer cases across all districts of the Valley, with South Kashmir showing the highest incidence. Hotspot analysis pointed to clusters of cases in urban areas, especially in Anantnag, Pulwama, and Srinagar. Additional clustering techniques highlighted specific zones with persistent high case numbers. The trend analysis showed a continuous increase in cases, reaching its peak in 2023. Most patients were men, with the highest incidence recorded among those aged 60 and 79 years. What set the alarm bells ringing is significant increase in stomach cancer cases across all districts of the Valley, with South Kashmir showing the highest incidence. In 2024, a study titled On the impact of cancer in the Kashmir Valley : analysis patterns and burden  published in The Journal of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, reports that esophageal cancer continues to occur at alarmingly high rates in the region, with smoking significantly increasing risk among men. The widespread prevalence of this cancer is linked to the predominantly non-vegetarian diet in Kashmir, characterized by high red-meat intake, as well as the frequent consumption of Noon Chai on an empty stomach—a drink notably high in sodium chloride. These dietary habits, along with cultural and environmental influences unique to the Valley, contribute to a distinct cancer pattern, making esophageal cancer one of the most common malignancies in Kashmir.

 Current Situation

 Kashmir continues to face a significant burden of upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, driven by dietary habits, delayed detection, and socioeconomic challenges. As Per Officials, Around 400-450 Cases of Stomach Cancer have been registered at SKIMS, Annually. The Burden of Gastric Cancer is quite high in Kashmir. In a month we see around 40-50 patients of Gastric Cancer and mostly patients are in their advanced stage, Dr Nisar Husain Hamdani ,Professor & Head, Dept of Surgical Gastroenterology ( GI & HPB Surgery),Superspeciality Hospital,GMC Srinagar said. Stomach cancer presents usually in an asymptomatic manner. Patients often experience general weakness, loss of appetite, easy fatigability, and an overall sense of feeling unwell. There are also certain specific symptoms, such as vomiting blood (hematemesis) or passing black, tarry stools. In some cases, due to stomach obstruction, patients may have persistent vomiting, difficulty eating, or problems swallowing food. These are some of the common presentations seen in advanced stomach cancer.

 Risk Factors

Like most of the malignancies, the exact reasons, they are not known, but definitely risk factors are known,as Dr Hamdani said. “In our region, H. pylori infection is widespread, yet people often avoid doctors and rely on over-the-counter medicines. Smoking, too, has risen sharply in Kashmir, adding to the risk. Our diets have also shifted from fresh foods to unregulated street and junk foods filled with chemicals and colouring agents. Besides, definitely there are some genetic syndromes which are responsible for cancers While genetics cannot be changed, habits like smoking, diet, can be changed .

South Kashmir: Hub of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is especially quite common in Kulgam, Shopian and parts of Anantnag”, Dr Shahid Wani , Associate Professor and Head, Department of Radiation Oncology, said. There is a thing that most probably is related to pesticides. However, we can’t say for sure because there isn't enough studies have not been taken up to check whether it's really because of that or something else but prevalence is obviously most commonly found in Kulgam and Shopian and parts of Anantnag. So the cause of this is not completely clear yet. Besides, Dr Shahid said. Till October 31st, the number of new patients registered in our department had already crossed 600 for the year. We maintain a detailed registry for all of them. These patients typically require treatment for at least four to six months, with six months being the minimum and Radiation therapy equipments in GMC Anantnag are still not available, so we continue to refer patients to SKIMS and GMC Srinagar.

Treatment Approaches in Kashmir

Our treatment options are on par with what is offered anywhere in the world. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is provided free of cost in hospitals like the Super Specialty Hospital GMC Srinagar and SKIMS, and surgeries are also carried out effectively. While a few specialised chemotherapy drugs may not be covered under the Ayushman Golden Card, they are rarely required, and most standard medications for stomach cancer are available free of charge,’’Dr Nasir said. The real challenge lies in the long waiting lists and limited space,” Dr Nasir said. “The Super Specialty Hospital has only 220 beds shared by 14 departments, with restricted OT slots, which forces patients to wait and Second part is lack of awareness in patients. Officials said that Kashmir faces a shortage of Oncologists, particularly Surgical Oncologists, and the valley urgently needs more specialists in this field. “In the Indian subcontinent, cancer research is still very limited,” Dr Shahid said. “We practically rely on guidelines from National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), which is basically American guidelines.We do not have our own region-specific guidelines, even though our lifestyle, genetic makeup, and overall context differ significantly from Western populations”.

 Molecular & Genetic Testing 

We do not have routine molecular or genetic testing available in Kashmir”, Dr Hamdani said. “In a few places, such testing is carried out only under research projects—such as PhD-level studies—and not as part of regular hospital-supported patient care. Because of this, we still lack a clear understanding of the genetic makeup of our patients. Genetics always plays a role, but its impact becomes evident only when combined with environmental risk factors. Even with strong or weak genetic predispositions, avoiding harmful exposures can reduce the risk. Generally, most cancers not just stomach cancer are more common in elderly patients. But wherever there is high risk, we usually see patients with young age also.”Dr Shahid said. “I recently saw 17-year-old girl with metastatic gastric cancer. Even without extensive genetic testing, it was clear that her disease was primarily driven by genetic factors rather than environmental ones. However, in patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, the disease usually results from a combination of genetic and environmental influences.”Dr Hamdani said. Dr Nasir Hamdani asserted that Unfortunately, most patients who come to our OPD present with locally advanced or metastatic cancer. Early gastric cancers are rarely seen.

Dried Vegetables

 Dried vegetables, especially when contaminated with fungus, they are probably found to be implicated in some sort of esophageal cancer as per the study conducted by Kashmir University. Though there isn't strong, conclusive evidence yet. Since dried vegetables are commonly used across Kashmir, we simply need to be cautious ”if they appear moldy or contaminated, they should be avoided. The same applies not only to vegetables but also to dried fish and other dried foods. Cleanliness and proper handling are essential.

 Dr Shahid said.