Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Dec 8: After recent concerns over the rising number of heart attack cases in the state, another alarming revelation has surfaced — the number of people diagnosed with cancer in Karnataka has seen a sharp increase. As part of the ‘Gruha Arogya Scheme’, the health department conducted large-scale health screenings covering various diseases, including diabetes, heart, kidney ailments, and cancer. The findings have revealed a concerning surge in cancer cases.
According to official data, 5,664 individuals have been diagnosed with cancer as on November 2025 under the scheme. The health department has decided to expand the screening process to include even more people in the coming months.
So far, 22 lac individuals have been screened across the state for cancer-related ailments. Among these, 3,403 cases of oral cancer, 1,311 cases of breast cancer, and 950 suspected cases of cervical cancer have been identified. All suspected patients have been referred for further medical evaluation and treatment. Early detection has given doctors hope that many of these cases can be effectively treated.
Health officials reported that a higher number of cancer symptoms were found among women, reflecting an increase in female cancer cases in the state. Last year alone, Karnataka recorded 87,000 new cancer cases, with women making up the majority of those affected.
Bengaluru recorded the highest number of cancer cases in the state, which health experts attribute to factors such as changing lifestyles and rising pollution levels in the city.
The ‘Gruha Arogya’ initiative has been particularly active in rural areas, ensuring health screening for people above the age of 30 and delivering free medicines directly to homes. The scheme, now expanded state-wide, covers screening for 14 types of diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and mental health disorders.
Health officials emphasized that early detection through home-based screenings is crucial in controlling and preventing the spread of such life-threatening illnesses across the state.