Arvind Sharma
JAMMU Tawi, Oct 08: The people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh could see stronger cancer prevention, screening and treatment services following a two-day workshop organised jointly by Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Held on October 7 and 8 at GMC Jammu, the workshop focused on developing practical and evidence-based strategies for preventing and screening breast, oral, cervical and gastric cancers.
A parallel proposal development exercise will also held to explore ways to improve breast cancer survival in the two Union Territories.
The initiative brought together government officials, medical experts, researchers, programme officers and other healthcare stakeholders.
The discussions centred on identifying gaps in the existing healthcare system and developing interventions that can respond effectively to the region’s local requirements.
For people affected by cancer, the emphasis on early detection and timely treatment could be particularly significant.
Participants discussed ways to improve awareness, expand screening, ensure timely diagnosis and strengthen referral mechanisms so that patients can access appropriate care without unnecessary delays.
A major component of the workshop dealt with implementation science and the practical challenges of introducing health interventions.
Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal and Dean, GMC Jammu, and Dr Jyotsna Suri, Head of Pathology and Nodal Officer of the Multi Disciplinary Research Unit at GMC Jammu, were among those involved in the discussions.
The ICMR team included senior scientists, programme officers and oncology specialists.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of reliable healthcare data.
A dedicated session on data management and the REDCap platform, conducted by ICMR Programme Officer Dr Pulkit Verma, underlined the role of systematic data collection and monitoring in evaluating healthcare programmes and generating dependable evidence.
Special attention was given to breast cancer survival. Stakeholders worked on a proposal covering the entire care pathway—from awareness and early detection to screening, diagnosis, referral and treatment—with the aim of improving patient outcomes.
The integrated screening strategy for breast, oral, cervical and gastric cancers is expected to make better use of existing healthcare resources while helping identify high-risk populations and strengthen referral systems.
The collaboration between ICMR and GMC Jammu is expected to help translate research into locally suitable healthcare programmes.
The workshop’s outcomes will support stronger cancer awareness, population-based screening, early diagnosis, treatment pathways, data management and coordination among research institutions, government departments and healthcare providers.
Ultimately, the initiative aims to detect cancer earlier, improve access to timely care and contribute to better survival and quality of life for patients across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.