Patna : Bihar is estimated to have recorded 8,250 new cervical cancer cases and 4,455 deaths in 2025, highlighting the burden of the disease amid low reported screening coverage among women in the state.
According to the National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the figures are estimates rather than a count of cases and deaths individually recorded by hospitals.
Data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), conducted in 2019–20, show that only 0.8% of women aged 30–49 in Bihar had undergone cervical cancer screening. The proportion screened for breast cancer was even lower, at 0.3%.
This means that, according to the survey, around eight out of every 1,000 women in this age group had undergone cervical cancer screening, while approximately three out of every 1,000 had been screened for breast cancer.
Estimated Cervical Cancer Cases Rise By 477 In Five Years
The estimated annual number of new cervical cancer cases in Bihar increased from 7,773 in 2021 to 8,250 in 2025.
The figures show a gradual rise over the five-year period, with 7,892 estimated cases in 2022, 8,012 in 2023 and 8,131 in 2024.
Estimated annual deaths also increased, from 4,197 in 2021 to 4,455 in 2025.
| Year | Estimated new cases | Estimated deaths |
| 2021 | 7,773 | 4,197 |
| 2022 | 7,892 | 4,262 |
| 2023 | 8,012 | 4,326 |
| 2024 | 8,131 | 4,391 |
| 2025 | 8,250 | 4,455 |
Based on the 2025 estimates, the annual figures work out to an average of approximately 23 new cases and 12 deaths a day. These are calculated averages, not daily counts of confirmed cases or deaths.
Bihar’s Cancer Screening Rates Below National Averages
NFHS-5 data indicate that cancer screening coverage among women aged 30–49 in Bihar was below the national averages.
A published study based on the survey reported a breast cancer screening rate of 341 per 100,000 women in Bihar, compared with the national average of 877. For cervical cancer, the corresponding figures were 838 per 100,000 women in Bihar and 1,965 nationally.
The figures point to a gap in screening coverage, although they reflect survey data collected in 2019–20 and do not establish the current screening rate in Bihar.
The NFHS-6 fact sheet, released in May 2026, does not include these cancer-screening indicators. Updated data from the state health department would be needed to assess the present level of screening coverage.
More Than 2.09 Crore Breast And Cervical Cancer Screenings Listed
The Bihar Cancer Care and Research Society portal recorded 1,57,50,886 breast cancer screenings and 51,97,902 cervical cancer screenings between April 2023 and April 2026, according to the figures cited in the report.
The portal also listed 4,13,04,818 oral cancer screenings during the same period.
These figures represent recorded screening activity. They should not be interpreted as the number of unique women screened, since one person may undergo multiple screenings. The totals also do not indicate how many people were diagnosed with cancer.
Screening is intended to identify people who may need further assessment. A screening result alone does not confirm a cancer diagnosis, and abnormal findings may require additional tests.
Screening Must Be Backed By Diagnosis And Treatment
Expanding screening services is only one part of addressing the cancer burden. Health facilities also need the capacity to assess abnormal results, confirm diagnoses and refer patients for appropriate treatment.
For breast cancer, assessment may include a clinical breast examination and, where indicated, mammography or ultrasound. A suspicious finding may require a biopsy to establish a diagnosis.
For cervical cancer, screening may involve a Pap test or an HPV test, depending on the programme and applicable clinical guidance. Women with abnormal results may need further assessment, including a biopsy where indicated.
Timely reports and effective referral services are also essential. Patients who need further investigation or treatment should be able to move from primary health centres and district hospitals to medical colleges or specialised cancer centres without avoidable delays.
The available figures show a rise in Bihar’s estimated cervical cancer burden alongside low screening coverage in the 2019–20 survey. Updated screening data, accessible testing facilities and reliable follow-up arrangements would help assess how effectively women are being reached and connected to care.
