Cancer Cases Surge in Upper Assam: A Five-Year Analysis

A recent report from the Population Based Cancer Registry reveals alarming cancer statistics in Upper Assam, documenting over 23,000 cases and 7,000 deaths from 2019 to 2023. The study highlights significant disparities in incidence rates across districts, with tobacco-related cancers posing a major health threat. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced cancer prevention and control measures in the region. This comprehensive analysis serves as a crucial baseline for understanding cancer trends and improving health outcomes in Upper Assam.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 24, 2026, 11:51 IST

Cancer Statistics in Upper Assam

DIBRUGARH, Sept 24: A recent five-year analysis by the Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) in Dibrugarh has revealed that Upper Assam has seen 23,157 cancer cases and 7,073 fatalities from 2019 to 2023.

The report, unveiled at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) by Dr. Sanjeeb Kakati, the principal, encompasses nearly 25% of Assam's population across nine districts: Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Lakhimpur, and Dhemaji. The study, led by Dr. Adity Sharma, a Pathology professor at AMCH, establishes a crucial regional baseline for understanding cancer causation, prevention, and management.

Out of the total cases, 11,781 were male (50.9%) and 11,376 were female (49.1%).

Significant disparities were noted in the region, with Jorhat reporting the highest age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR) for men at 86.4 per 100,000, while Dibrugarh had the highest rate for women at 79.8 per 100,000. Conversely, Tinsukia exhibited the lowest incidence rates for both genders.

The likelihood of developing cancer before the age of 75 was estimated at one in 13 for men and one in 15 for women, with 65.8% of cases occurring in individuals aged 35 to 64 years.

Tobacco-related cancers remain a significant health issue, constituting 64.5% of male cases and 39.9% of female cases in Upper Assam. Oesophageal cancer was the most common diagnosis among men, accounting for 16% of cases and 19% of cancer-related deaths. For women, breast cancer was the most prevalent, making up 23.8% of cases and 23.5% of deaths. Childhood cancers (ages 0 to 19) represented about 1.25% of total cases, with leukaemia being the most common type in both genders.

The PBCR also recorded 7,073 cancer-related deaths from 2019 to 2023, with 3,991 males (56.4%) and 3,082 females (43.6%). The average annual mortality-to-incidence ratio was 33.9% for males and 27.1% for females.

The report's release, attended by regional health officials and heads of medical departments, also coincided with the launch of the Assam Cancer Burden Profile 2026 by ICMR-NINE, alongside the three-year report (2021–2023) from the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry.