The first Indian Cancer Congress (ICC) will be held from November 21-24, 2013 at the Kempinski Ambience Hotel in New Delhi. Experts from surgical, medical and radiation oncology are expected to join forces with radiologists, pathologists, scientists, physicists, and ancillary service providers such as oncology nurses, technicians, and paramedics to comprehensively address various facets of cancer care. Additionally, patients, caregivers, advocacy groups, and NGOs are also expected to have an opportunity to share the platform with policy makers.
Hosted by the Association of Radio Oncologists of India (AROI), the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology (IASO), the Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology (ISMPO), the Indian Society of Oncology (ISO), and the Oncology Forum, the Congress reportedly enjoys the support of over 25 professional bodies, 100 cancer institutions, and seven leading international associations involved in cancer care. With a confirmed faculty of over 250 global thought leaders, ICC has already received 3,000 delegates registration for the conference and 5,000 delegates are expected to attend. This international conference aims to act as a catalyst for further research, treatment and dissemination of knowledge in the field of cancer.
Addressing the media, Dr GK Rath, Chairman, Organising Committee, ICC 2013 stated, “We are excited to lay the foundation of one of the most empowering gatherings on cancer in India in the form of Indian Cancer Congress. Slated to be the biggest oncology event ever in India, the Congress will strive collectively to face the daunting challenge of cancer and showcase the lead India has taken in cancer research. It will establish India as an emerging leader in cancer care and will inspire both experts and the new generation to take on cancer with new learnings from their colleagues across the world.”
Over 300 leaders from across the country have worked together to create a very exciting scientific programme. The Congress has received 1,740 abstracts from the scientific community across the world. The ICC will also offer 400 hours of deliberations during the four days of the event, with 10 pre-conference workshops planned in the sidelines. Oncotech, an exhibition of state of art technology, will display a range of equipment required for setting up a full-fledged cancer hospital.
This conference is expected to promote and showcase all types of cancer research in India. Highlights of the programme include breast oncology, surgical management of sarcomas, haematology, head and neck oncology, paediatric oncology, thoracic oncology, palliative care, preventive oncology, imaging and radiology, gastrointestinal and HPB cancers, pathology, genitourinary oncology, nuclear medicine, geriatric oncology, gynae oncology, and nursing oncology.
Dr Harit K Chaturvedi, Organising Secretary of the ICC commented, “The scientific deliberations during the Congress and strengthening of collaborations between different arms of oncology are directed towards better patient care, better clinical outcome and most effected treatment. The treatment today is out of the reach of the significant section of our society. We hope this Congress will come out with well-defined strategies.”
Four days of programmes as well as a day of pre-conference workshops on November 20 await the delegates. The programmes will apparently consist of a mixture of poster presentations, panel deliberations, round table discussions, and lectures, with an emphasis on discussions and audience participation.
The ICC intends to assist care providers implement new ideas and research into their practice as well as further the discussion of best practices to curtail the rapid growth of cancer cases and provide quality care to patients.