The state of Punjab is currently navigating a devastating health emergency, marked by a heartbreaking statistic: an average of eight women are dying every single day due to cancer. This silent crisis has once again surged into the national spotlight, demanding urgent intervention. According to the most recent data discussed in the halls of Parliament, approximately 2,700 women lost their lives to this disease in Punjab in the year 2025 alone.

This alarming reality was brought to the floor of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, February 12th, by Member of Parliament Balbir Singh Seechewal. Describing the situation as an issue that strikes at the very heart of Punjab’s survival, the AAP MP called for immediate and synchronized action from both the Central and Punjab governments.

MP Balbir Singh Seechewal Addresses the Rajya Sabha on the Crisis

During a Special Mention in the House, Seechewal voiced his profound concerns regarding the rapid spike in cancer diagnoses among Punjabi women.

In his address, Seechewal stated, “I wish to draw attention to a very serious issue, the rapid increase in cancer cases among women in Punjab. This trend is deeply concerning and demands urgent action. According to information provided by the honourable Ministry, in 2025, in the Rajya Sabha, approximately 2,700 women in Punjab died of cancer, which averages to 8 women per day. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 13,299 women lost their lives due to cancer. Among these, breast cancer was the leading cause with 7,186 deaths, followed by Cervix Uteri (3,502 deaths) and Ovary cancer (2,611 deaths).”

He continued to highlight a shift in the demographics of the disease, noting, “Alarmingly, cancer cases are rising even among women aged 40-45, showing that this disease is no longer limited to old age, but increasingly threatening younger lives. Environmental factors, particularly water pollution and the widespread use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture, are considered major contributors. These chemicals, once in the soil, eventually enter our food chain.”

Seechewal emphasized that these grim figures must serve as a final wake-up call for both the public and those in power.

The Escalating Toll of Cancer Across Punjab

Citing official statistics from the Union Health Ministry, Seechewal revealed to the House that a staggering 13,299 women succumbed to cancer in Punjab between 2021 and 2025. Breast cancer remained the most lethal, claiming 7,186 lives, followed by cervical cancer with 3,502 deaths and ovarian cancer with 2,611 deaths.

The MP pointed out that the disease is no longer behaving as it once did; it is rapidly affecting women in the 40-45 age bracket, and in some tragic instances, even younger women are being diagnosed. This shift proves that cancer is no longer strictly a condition associated with the elderly.

Environmental degradation is being cited as a primary culprit. The contamination of drinking water, the heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides in farming, and the dumping of industrial waste are all linked to the rise. Seechewal reminded the House of a chilling precedent: it was only after toxic chemicals like DDT were found in the breast milk of nursing mothers that such substances were finally banned. This serves as a stark reminder of how deeply environmental toxins can penetrate the human body.

In response, Seechewal appealed to the government to provide free cancer treatment for women. He suggested a subsidy of at least 75% to 80% for medical care—in both government and private facilities—specifically for families facing economic hardship. He argued that since women are the backbone of both the family unit and society at large, protecting their health is essential for the very future of Punjab.

Understanding Why Punjab is Known as the ‘Cancer Capital’

The Malwa region of Punjab has earned the grim title of India’s "cancer capital." Ironically, this area was once celebrated as "Makheon Meetha Malwa" (Malwa, sweeter than honey) for its rich agricultural output. Today, it is more commonly referred to as the "cancer belt."

Research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention—which studied 500 patients in the state—found that “Of the 500 patients, 65% were females and 35% were males. The most affected female age groups were 50-54 and 60-64; while males in the age groups of 65-69 and 60-64 had the highest risk. The leading cancers in females were breast, followed by cervix and ovary, whereas in males they were colon, followed by oesophagus and tongue.”

Media reports indicate that Punjab sees at least 172 cancer cases per 100,000 people, with the Malwa region bearing the brunt of this incidence. Many experts point to the liberal use of agricultural chemicals and pesticides, particularly in cotton farming, which has contaminated the soil and the groundwater that residents rely on.

This is part of a larger, worrying national trend. India recorded nearly 1.5 million cancer cases in 2023, up from 1.46 million in 2022. While lifestyle changes and genetics play a role, the situation in Punjab is uniquely tied to the direct pollution of its natural resources. You can find more on the national statistics via the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The Heartbreaking Reality of Punjab’s ‘Cancer Train’

The most visible and tragic symbol of this crisis is the Bathinda-Bikaner train, widely known as the ‘cancer train.’ Every night at roughly 9:30 pm, this 12-coach train departs from Bathinda carrying hundreds of passengers, many of whom are battling for their lives.

The train travels 325 kilometers to Bikaner, Rajasthan, arriving in the early morning. Most passengers are bound for the Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. The reason for this cross-border journey is simple: treatment is significantly more affordable in Bikaner.

To assist these families, cancer patients are allowed to travel for free, while their companions receive a 75% discount on fares. Furthermore, under the Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme, patients can receive up to ₹15 lakh in financial aid at specific Bikaner hospitals. For many, the sight of patients clutching folders of medical documents on this overnight journey is a haunting reminder of the state’s medical struggle.

A Profile of Balbir Singh Seechewal

Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, popularly known as “Eco Baba,” is a spiritual leader and environmental activist who serves as a Rajya Sabha MP nominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He gained international fame for his monumental work in cleaning the Kali Bein, a 160-kilometer river that had become a toxic dump for sewage and industrial waste.

His volunteer-led restoration of the river was so successful that in 2008, he was the only Indian named as a “Hero of the Environment” by TIME Magazine. He also developed the “Seechewal Model,” a cost-effective underground sewage system that treats wastewater for agricultural use—a system now supported by the state government. Today, he uses his platform in Parliament to bridge the gap between environmental health and human survival.