Srinagar, Oct 8 (KNS) A three-day international conference on breast and allied cancers concluded on Wednesday with experts stressing the need for stronger institutional collaboration, early detection, screening and community-level awareness to tackle the growing cancer burden in Jammu and Kashmir.

The 3rd J&K International Conference on Breast and Allied Cancers (JK-IBAC-2026), organised by the Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Patients Benefit Foundation, brought together scientists, oncologists, clinicians, academicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.

The conference, supported by DBT and ANRF under the Ministry of Science and Technology, JKST&IC and J&K Bank, focused on emerging developments in cancer research, precision medicine, artificial intelligence, genomics and targeted therapies.

The concluding day focused on cancer prevention, awareness and public health policy, with discussions covering breast cancer screening, oral and breast cancer management, AI-assisted approaches and modifiable risk factors.

A panel discussion on the "Current scenario of cancer in J&K: challenges and the way forward" brought together experts from institutions including the University of Kashmir, SKUAST-Kashmir, GMC Srinagar, SKIMS, CSIR-IIIM, IUST and GMC Anantnag.

The panel stressed the need for coordinated and multidisciplinary efforts in cancer prevention, research, diagnosis and management, besides stronger linkages between scientific research, clinical practice and public health initiatives.

Speaking at the valedictory session, SKIMS Director Prof Mohammad Ashraf Ganie emphasised stronger institutional collaboration, particularly between SKIMS and the University of Kashmir, and called for greater integration among academic institutions, research organisations and healthcare centres.

He also urged young researchers to devote themselves more consistently to cancer research, saying sustained scientific efforts were essential for improving understanding of the disease and developing better strategies for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

University of Kashmir Registrar Prof Naseer Iqbal stressed that cancer prevention and early detection should extend beyond major hospitals and urban centres.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He called for strengthening cancer screening and examination centres at village and district levels to ensure timely access to screening and early-detection services, particularly for people living in rural and underserved areas.

Bringing screening facilities closer to communities could help detect cancers at an earlier stage and contribute to reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality, he said.

The role of the media in creating cancer awareness was also highlighted. Eminent journalist Aijaz Ahmad Ganai called for stronger cooperation between the scientific community and media to promote preventive practices, encourage timely screening and counter myths and misconceptions surrounding cancer.

Prof Fayaz Ahmad, Dean, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, stressed the need for greater collaboration among biological scientists, oncologists and medical professionals, saying cancer required a multidisciplinary approach.

He said closer integration of basic biology, molecular research, clinical sciences, bioinformatics and translational medicine could help develop innovative research programmes and accelerate the translation of laboratory findings into clinical applications.

The conference also featured scientific sessions on precision oncology, computational approaches, cancer genomics, RNA splicing, cancer registry data, phytochemical research, molecular profiling, imaging and targeted therapies.

The valedictory session was attended by academics, scientists, healthcare professionals, researchers and delegates. The conference report was presented by Organising Secretary Dr Manzoor Ahmad Mir, followed by addresses by senior university and scientific officials.

Awards were also distributed for the best oral and poster presentations to recognise the contributions of young researchers and encourage continued work in cancer research.

The conference concluded with a call for sustained efforts in research, prevention, early detection, screening, diagnosis, treatment and public awareness, with experts emphasising that scientific advances would need to be complemented by coordinated action involving academic institutions, hospitals, government agencies, researchers, media and local communities.(KNS)