Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Kalaburagi record highest cancer cases in Karnataka over five years

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada, Hassan and Kalaburagi districts have emerged as the top three regions in Karnataka with the highest number of cancer detections over the last five years, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha.

The statistics reveal that despite large-scale screening programmes across the state, many districts have reported very few or even zero cases, indicating significant regional disparities in diagnosis.

Between 2020–21 and 2024–25, Dakshina Kannada recorded a total of 3,432 cases of oral, cervical and breast cancer. Close behind, Kalaburagi reported 3,397 cases, while Hassan accounted for 2,436 cases during the same period.

These three districts together contribute a substantial share of the total cancer burden detected in the state. The data from Dakshina Kannada shows a sharp year-on-year increase in detections. In 2022–23, only 18 cases were found out of 16,41,913 people screened.

However, in 2023–24, 67 cases were detected from 41,088 screenings. The number further jumped in 2024–25, when 70,033 people were screened and 3,328 cases were identified.

Kalaburagi too witnessed fluctuating trends. The district recorded 1,112 cases in 2021–22 and 2,073 cases in 2022–23. However, detections dropped sharply to 182 cases in 2023–24 and further declined to just 30 cases in 2024–25.

Hassan showed relatively low detections initially but saw a major spike in 2023–24 with 2,224 cases before falling to 99 cases in 2024–25.

Other districts that reported notable cumulative detections over the five-year period include Belagavi (849 cases), Kolar (844), Haveri (463), Tumakuru (538) and Chikkamagaluru (1,648).

In 2024–25 alone, Dakshina Kannada topped the list with 3,328 cases, followed by Kolar (402) and Davanagere (189). Bengaluru Urban screened 13,91,301 people between 2020 and 2025 and reported 292 confirmed cancer cases.

Interestingly, several districts with large screening numbers reported almost negligible detections. Yadgir and Chamarajanagar screened around 50,000 and 84,000 people respectively but recorded zero cases. Vijayapura and Kodagu reported only two cases each, while Mandya reported three, and Udupi and Ballari four cases each.

Over the last five years, Karnataka has significantly expanded cancer screening under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.

ASHA workers are conducting door-to-door awareness drives and referring suspected cases to Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres for early diagnosis. District-level NCD clinics and day-care cancer centres provide chemotherapy follow-ups.

The state currently supports 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 tertiary cancer treatment centres, with approval granted for 16 new district centres for 2025–26. However, experts point out that Karnataka continues to face a shortage of specialised oncologists, which remains a major challenge in effective cancer management.

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