New Delhi, December 8, 2024 – The Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council organized the Lung Health & Oncology National Conference 2024 at Ambedkar International Convention Centre on 7 December 2024, gathering esteemed speakers from government bodies, the healthcare sector, and allied organizations to address the rising crisis of lung cancer in India.
The conference reiterated the urgent need for early diagnosis, equal access to healthcare services, and innovative treatment methods to tackle one of the most difficult types of cancers in the country.
Currently, India reports 72,510 new cases of lung cancer annually with an alarming death toll of 66,279. It is one of the deadliest cancers with more than 75% patients diagnosed at late stages.
Compounding this problem are smoking, pollution, and delayed screenings thus, it needs a holistic response from all stakeholders.
The Lung Health & Oncology National Conference 2024, organized by the IHW Council, consisted an illustrious panel of experts, including Mr. Kamal Narayan, CEO of IHW Council, alongside leading medical professionals such as Dr. Saroj Das Majumder of AIIMS Bhubaneshwar, Col Rajeev Mannali of SUT Pattom Super Speciality Hospital, and Mohammed Yahya of Qure.ai. Esteemed contributors like Dr. Charu Bahl from Medgenome Labs, Dr. Moushumi Suryavanshi, Dr. Anant Mohan of AIIMS Delhi, and Col (Dr.) Shafin Babu of Command Hospital Eastern Command also shared their insights.
The event featured prominent oncologists, including Dr. Sridhar P S, Dr. Belal Bin Asaf of Medanta – The Medicity, Dr. Aditya Murali of Apollo Hospitals, and Dr. Subodh Kumar of AIIMS Deoghar, alongside public health leaders like Dr. Navneet Singh of PGIMER, Vandana Mahajan of Lung Connect, Mr. Vivek Tomar of “Rise to Survive Cancer,” and Dr. Urvashi Prasad, Former Director of Niti Aayog, to discuss innovative strategies for advancing lung cancer care in India.
Dr. Urvashi Prasad, Former Director, NITI Aayog, highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to cancer care, stating, “An effective cancer care system must focus on the patient’s physical, emotional, and social well-being.
In addition to clinical treatment, we must also integrate support systems, such as mental health counseling, nutritional guidance, and strong palliative care services.
These elements are often overlooked but are crucial for the betterment of quality of life and improved outcomes of the patient. Policy intervention with holistic approaches can certainly help ensure fair access of such resources to even deprived areas.”
Discussions at the conference were also focused on the revolutionary capabilities of advanced diagnostic tools such as AI-driven radiology and molecular biomarkers. These technologies are helping clinicians diagnose lung cancer in its early stages and design specific treatment strategies based on the unique genetic makeup of the tumors.
Dr. Saroj Das Majumder, HOD, Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, emphasized the transformative advancements in radiation therapy, stating, “The field of radiation oncology is witnessing revolutionary breakthroughs, changing how lung cancer is treated today.
New techniques such as Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy are making it possible for unprecedented precision, targeting tumors more easily while sparing healthy tissue in the process.
Also, techniques like SBRT provide non-invasive, highly focused alternatives for localized tumors, often reducing treatment times dramatically. These innovations are also leading to better clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients.”
Mr. Vivek Tomar, Co-founder of Rise to Survive Cancer, spoke about the critical role of survivorship and community support in the cancer care continuum, saying, “Surviving cancer extends far beyond defeating the disease.
Survivors face long-term health problems, emotional challenges, and financial burdens. It is crucial to build resilient communities through education, peer support, and access to resources. Such support would be a means to ensure survivors’ sustainability after the treatment.
Coordination between healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocacy groups can pave ways for sustainable well-being and access to services needed by survivors.”
The conference discussed current cutting-edge therapeutic approaches like minimal invasive robotic-assisted surgery, radiation therapy, and the use of new combinations of drugs.
Experts shared real-life experience on practical ways of implementing global guidelines on treatments in the Indian scenario wherein regional disparities and inadequate health infrastructure pose big challenges to treatment.
The conference concluded with a powerful call to action, urging policymakers, clinicians, and patient advocates to work collaboratively to reduce the burden of lung cancer in India.
Attendees emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns, early detection initiatives, and affordable treatment options to address the challenges posed by this deadly disease.
Disclaimer:- This story has not been edited by SugerMint staff and provided by the agency. SugerMint will not be responsible in any way for the content of this story.
| Are you an
Entrepreneur or Startup? Do you have a Success Story to Share? SugerMint would like to share your success story. We cover entrepreneur Stories, Startup News, Women entrepreneur stories, and Startup stories
|
Read more Press Releases at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn