Early detection key to improving cancer outcomes: Experts

Jammu, Oct 8: Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, organised a two-day co-development workshop aimed at strengthening cancer prevention, screening and treatment strategies across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The workshop, held on October 7 and 8 at GMC Jammu, brought together senior health officials, clinicians, researchers, programme officers, academic experts and investigators associated with various ICMR hubs and spokes to deliberate on strengthening the cancer-care continuum in the region.
The programme focused particularly on the prevention and screening of breast, oral, cervical and gastric cancers, besides developing a dedicated proposal for improving breast cancer survival in Jammu & Kashmir.
The initiative assumes significance amid the growing need for early detection, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of cancer, with experts stressing the importance of developing interventions that are scientifically sound while also being practical and adaptable to the local healthcare system.
A major component of the workshop focused on implementation science and the challenges involved in translating evidence-based health interventions into routine healthcare delivery.
The session was led by Principal and Dean GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, and Dr Jyotsna Suri, Head of the Department of Pathology and Nodal Officer, Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit, GMC Jammu.
The ICMR team included Dr Nisha Jose, Senior Programme Officer and Senior Scientist; Dr Pramit Ghosh, Senior Scientist; Dr Bhawana Sirohi, Medical Director and Senior Medical Oncologist, BALCO Medical Centre, Raipur; and Dr Supriya Malik, ICMR expert and HOD Medical Oncology, JIPMER, Puducherry.
Discussions centred on the need to understand local healthcare challenges before designing interventions, ensuring that cancer-control programmes are responsive to the needs of the population.
Another session focused on data management and the REDCap platform, conducted by Dr Pulkit Verma, Programme Officer, Data Management, ICMR Headquarters. The session highlighted the importance of accurate data collection, standardised documentation, digital monitoring and systematic evaluation in assessing the effectiveness of cancer-screening and treatment interventions.
Improving breast cancer survival emerged as one of the key areas of discussion. Stakeholders worked towards developing a proposal addressing multiple stages of the breast cancer care pathway—from awareness and early identification to screening, diagnosis, referral, treatment and follow-up.
The proposal development exercise sought to identify practical interventions that could help reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment and improve continuity of care for breast cancer patients.
Experts also discussed strengthening linkages between screening facilities, diagnostic services and specialised treatment centres so that patients requiring further evaluation can be referred and managed without unnecessary delays.
The workshop discussed an integrated approach for prevention and screening of breast, oral, cervical and gastric cancers. Participants deliberated on strategies for identifying populations at higher risk, improving awareness regarding early warning signs, strengthening screening mechanisms and establishing efficient referral pathways.
Experts emphasised that early detection remains an important component of improving cancer outcomes, as timely diagnosis can facilitate appropriate treatment and reduce delays across the care pathway.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between ICMR experts, GMC Jammu, government health authorities, researchers and other stakeholders involved in cancer-control activities. The collaboration is expected to facilitate the development of scientifically robust proposals and implementation frameworks to support stronger cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The workshop is expected to contribute towards strengthening cancer awareness and prevention initiatives, expanding population-based screening, promoting early detection and diagnosis, improving referral mechanisms and strengthening the overall continuum of cancer care.
It will also support the development of locally adaptable intervention packages, improved digital data-management systems and the generation of implementation evidence that can inform future cancer-control programmes. (KNO)