Cancer cases surge in Dakshina Kannada as five year screening data exposes sharp district gaps across Karnataka

Mangaluru, Karnataka: The cancer burden in Karnataka is showing a striking regional pattern, with Dakshina Kannada emerging as the district reporting the highest number of detected cases over the past five years. Fresh parliamentary data reveals that despite large scale screening drives, only a few districts account for the majority of diagnoses, raising questions about awareness, reporting accuracy and early detection practices.

Between 2020 and 2025, Dakshina Kannada alone recorded 3432 cases related to oral, cervical and breast cancers. Kalaburagi followed closely with 3397 cases, while Hassan reported 2436 cases during the same period. Health officials say the numbers reflect both aggressive screening and a growing need for timely treatment facilities in these regions.

Interestingly, the spike is not consistent year after year. In Dakshina Kannada, testing numbers fluctuated sharply. More than 16 lakh people were screened in one year with only a handful of detections, while later years showed fewer screenings but a sudden jump in confirmed cases. By 2024 to 25, over 3300 cases were identified from about 70000 screenings, indicating focused testing among high risk groups.

Kalaburagi witnessed a similar surge earlier, with over a thousand detections in 2021 to 22 and more than two thousand in the following year, before the numbers fell sharply. Hassan too saw a late rise, touching more than two thousand cases in 2023 to 24 before declining again. Doctors believe improved diagnostics and awareness campaigns may have temporarily increased detection rates.

Other districts such as Chikkamagaluru, Belagavi, Kolar, Tumakuru and Haveri also reported noticeable cumulative figures, though most cases were concentrated in the initial years of the drive. In the latest year, Dakshina Kannada continued to lead, followed by Kolar and Davanagere, while Bagalkot, Tumakuru and Hassan recorded moderate numbers.

What stands out, however, is the contrast. Several districts screened tens of thousands of people but reported almost no cases. Yadgir and Chamarajanagar, despite large screening coverage, showed zero detections. Vijayapura, Kodagu, Mandya, Udupi and Ballari recorded only a few cases each. Health experts caution that such extremely low numbers may indicate under reporting or gaps in follow up rather than an absence of disease.

The state government has rapidly expanded cancer screening under the national non communicable disease programme. ASHA workers visit homes to spread awareness and encourage people to attend check ups at health sub centres and wellness clinics. Suspected patients are referred to primary health centres for further testing.

At the district level, dedicated non communicable disease clinics and day care cancer centres now provide follow up chemotherapy. Karnataka also supports 19 state cancer institutes and 20 tertiary care centres, with 16 new district units approved for the coming years. Yet, officials admit that the shortage of specialist doctors and oncologists remains a major challenge.

For many families, early detection has meant timely treatment and better survival chances. But the uneven data across districts highlights the need for stronger monitoring, consistent screening quality and better access to care so that no case goes unnoticed.