Patiala, Dec. 22 -- Every year, more than 3,000 women die due to breast and cervical cancer in Punjab, according to the data submitted by the Centre during the recently concluded winter session of the Parliament. The data further reveals that over the last decade, the state has recorded over 33,000 deaths due to these two cancers. According to the data, deaths due to breast cancer in Punjab rose from 1,972 in 2013 to 2,480 in 2023. Similarly, fatalities due to cervical cancer rose from 857 in 2013 to 1,082 in 2014, reflecting a worrying trend. Punjab's mortality figures for both breast and cervical cancers are higher than those reported in neighbouring states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. In Haryana, around 738 women died due to cervical cancer, while Himachal Pradesh recorded 223 deaths during the same period. As far as breast cancer is concerned, the data shows that mortality in Haryana stood at 1,771, whereas Himachal Pradesh reported 535 deaths-both significantly lower than Punjab's figures. Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow uncontrollably and form tumours. If left untreated, these tumours can spread to other parts of the body and prove fatal. "Early detection and timely treatment significantly reduce mortality rates," medical experts said. Cervical cancer is mainly caused by persistent infection with certain types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Health experts emphasise that cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening. Responding to a query on measures taken to improve early detection and reduce cancer-related deaths among women in Punjab, the Union health minister JP Nadda said that a population-based initiative for screening, management, and prevention of common non-communicable diseases-including breast and cervical cancer-has already been rolled out across the country. "The initiative is part of comprehensive primary healthcare services under the National Health Mission (NHM)," he said in the Parliament. The Punjab government is learnt to have already informed the central government that it has undertaken a mass awareness campaign to educate the general population, especially in rural areas, about the early signs and symptoms of common cancers. "Screening camps are being organised at all public health facilities across the state to ensure early detection," the state government said....