ICMR, GMC Jammu jointly develop strategies for cancer prevention, screening in J&K, Ladakh
GMC Jammu and The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, organised a two-day Co-Development Workshop for the Prevention and Screening of Breast, Oral, Cervix and Gastric Cancers in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, along with a Proposal Development Workshop for Improving Breast Cancer Survival in Jammu & Kashmir, on October 7 and 8, 2026, at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu.The workshop brought together senior government officials, medical experts, researchers, programme officers and other stakeholders with the objective of developing practical, evidence-based and implementable strategies for strengthening cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.The initiative assumes particular significance in view of the growing need for early detection and timely management of cancer, particularly breast, oral, cervical and gastric cancers. The workshop provided an important platform for bringing together scientific expertise and the healthcare delivery system to identify gaps, develop locally appropriate interventions and strengthen coordination among various stakeholders.
Focus on Implementation Science and Cancer Care:
A major component of the workshopwas led by Dr. Ashutosh Gupta Principal GMC Jammu & Dr. Jyotsna Suri, HOD Pathology, Nodal Officer Multi Disciplinary Research Unit GMC Jammu. The ICMR team Included Dr. Nisha Jose, Senior Program officer & Senior Scientist, Dr. Pramit Gosh Senior scientist & Dr. Bhawana Sirohi, Medical Director and Senior Medical Oncologist, BALCO Medical Centre Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Dr. Supriya Malik, ICMR Expert NCI Jhajjar & Dr. Bisavjit Dubashi, HOD Medical Oncology JIPMER, Puducherry. The session focused on understanding the practical challenges involved in implementing health interventions and the importance of designing programmes that are responsive to local needs.Another important session was dedicated to Data Management and the RED Cap Platform, conducted by Dr. Pulkit Verma, Program Officer, Data Management, ICMR Headquarters. The session highlighted the importance of robust data collection, management and monitoring systems in generating reliable evidence and evaluating the effectiveness of healthcare interventions.
Strengthening Breast Cancer Survival:
A key focus of the workshop was the development of a proposal aimed at improving breast cancer survival in Jammu & Kashmir.The initiative seeks to address challenges across the breast cancer care pathway, including awareness, early detection, screening, timely diagnosis, appropriate referral and access to treatment. The proposal development exercise brought stakeholders together to identify potential areas where evidence-based interventions can have a measurable impact on patient outcomes.
Integrated Screening of Major Cancers:
Another major component of the workshop was the proposed strategy for prevention and screening of breast, oral, cervical and gastric cancers.The integrated approach is intended to strengthen population-level cancer prevention and early detection while making optimum use of existing health-system resources. Participants discussed strategies for identifying high-risk populations, strengthening screening services and establishing effective referral pathways for individuals requiring further investigation.
ICMR–GMC Jammu Collaboration:
The organisation of the workshop at Government Medical College, Jammu, provided an important platform for interaction between national-level research and programme experts and healthcare professionals working in the region.The participation of ICMR experts, senior officials of the UT administration, academic leadership of GMC Jammu and other stakeholders demonstrated the importance of institutional collaboration and multidisciplinary engagement in developing effective public-health programmes.The workshop is expected to contribute to the development of scientifically sound proposals and implementation frameworks that can subsequently support stronger cancer prevention, screening and care initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Way Forward:
The outcomes of the workshop will contribute towards:
* Strengthening cancer prevention and awareness activities.
* Improving population-based screening for major cancers.
* Promoting early detection and timely diagnosis.
* Strengthening referral and care-continuum mechanisms.
* Improving breast cancer treatment pathways and survival.
* Developing evidence-based and locally adaptable intervention packages.
* Strengthening data management and monitoring through appropriate digital platforms.
* Generating implementation evidence that can guide future cancer-control programmes.
* Enhancing coordination between research institutions, government departments, medical colleges and healthcare delivery systems.
A Significant Step Towards Better Cancer Outcomes:
The ICMR workshop marks an important step towards developing a coordinated, evidence-based and locally responsive cancer-control strategy for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. By bringing together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, programme managers and healthcare stakeholders, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between research evidence and healthcare implementation and ensure that advances in cancer prevention and care translate into tangible benefits for patients and communities.The central objective remains clear: to detect cancer earlier, ensure timely access to appropriate care, strengthen the continuum of cancer services and ultimately improve survival and quality of life for people affected by cancer in the region.