The survey covered 97.78 per cent of the population

In a one-of-its-kind census conducted by Punjab’s Health & Family Welfare Ministry in coordination with the World Health Organisation, major medical institutions, non-government organisations and social activists it has been revealed that while 33,318 people died of cancer in the past five years, another 23,874 are still afflicted with the disease. The details of the “State-wide cancer awareness and symptom-based early detection door-to-door campaign” were released by Punjab Health Minister Madan Mohan Mittal here on Monday.