Janakpur: The 7th International Cancer Conference, held in Janakpur, emphasized the need for equal access to cancer diagnosis and treatment. The two-day event, which took place on Friday and Saturday, brought together leading cancer specialists from the United States, China, Nepal, and India.
According to Dr. Binay Shah, the conference director and president of the Binaytara Foundation, advancements in cancer diagnosis, treatment methods, and technology are progressing rapidly. However, disparities in access to treatment persist. ‘We discussed various research findings, experiences, and presentations from different experts. While we explored treatment methodologies, we also concluded that advocacy is needed to address inequalities in cancer diagnosis and treatment,’ he stated. The decision to hold the conference in Janakpur was aimed at highlighting the lack of cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities in Madhesh Province.
Dr. Kapendra Shekhar Amatya, a surgical oncologist at Nepal Cancer Hospital and the conference chair, highlighted that such conferences help spread public awareness and refine medical practices. ‘This event provided a platform for global experts to discuss the latest treatment techniques, methods, best practices, and experiences,’ he said. He added that the conference facilitated knowledge sharing among specialists from different hospitals and countries.
Dr. Mark Pegram, a renowned cancer expert from the U.S., emphasized the significance of such conferences in improving cancer care in Nepal. ‘These discussions contribute to enhancing cancer treatment services here and broaden our knowledge through shared experiences,’ he said.
The conference began on Friday with a presentation on head and neck cancer. Surgeon Dr. Prabhat Thakur presented research on the ‘Surgical Principles of Head and Neck Cancer,’ while Dr. Dinesh Kshetri from Saint John Hospital in the U.S. led a case-based discussion in a session chaired by Dr. Bajrang Sah.
In the afternoon, an abstract presentation session was chaired by Dr. Ramesh Shrestha, where various researchers shared their findings. A scientific discussion on hematologic malignancies was also held, co-chaired by Dr. Sajin Rajbhandari and Dr. Amit Shrestha. Dr. Shrestha presented on ‘Recent Advances in the Management of DLBCL,’ while Dr. Srinivas K. Tantravahi from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, USA, shared insights on targeted therapy for acute leukemia.
The final session on Friday featured a ‘Tumor Board-Style Discussion on Challenging Cases,’ chaired by Dr. Mark Pegram from Stanford Healthcare, USA. Experts, including Dr. Rajani Jha, Dr. Sarada Khadka, Dr. Kapendra Shekhar Amatya, Dr. Pegram, and Dr. Rajiv Jha, presented and discussed complex clinical cases from a medical perspective.
Saturday’s discussions focused on gynecologic cancers, chaired by Dr. Jitendra Pariyar. Dr. Ying Liu, a cancer specialist from the U.S., presented on cervical cancer screening, followed by a case-based presentation by Dr. Ramesh Shrestha. A panel discussion was held, including Dr. Vivek Ghosh.
The second session focused on breast cancer and was chaired by Dr. Pegram, who provided updates on systemic therapy. Dr. Biplav Yadav presented on breast cancer risks among young patients, while Dr. Sujita Hirachan, Dr. Ranjana Karmacharya, and Dr. Ramila Shilpakar conducted case-based presentations.
Another session on lung cancer was chaired by Dr. Asmita Rayamajhi, where Dr. Sudip Shrestha presented ‘Updates in the Management of NSCLC,’ followed by a case-based discussion by Dr. Vivek Ghosh. Then, in the next session, chaired by Dr. Satyadeep Bhattacharya, presentations were delivered by Dr. Punya Ram Kharbuja and Dr. Asmita Rayamajhi.
A session on ‘Supportive Care’ was chaired by Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, while another session chaired by Dr. Vivek Ghosh included discussions by Dr. Rajeev Sharma, Dr. Vivek Ghosh, and Dr. Umesh Nepal on various aspects of cancer care.
The conference was organized by the Binaytara Foundation, a U.S.-registered nonprofit organization working to improve healthcare access in South Asia. The foundation supports initiatives such as bone marrow transplant centers, home hospice programs, cancer screening, and medical research grants for underserved communities.
The foundation has set a goal of establishing a 200-bed model cancer treatment center in Janakpur, which would be one of the largest in South Asia. Currently, it operates a 25-bed hospital in Janakpur. In addition to organizing international cancer conferences and Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs in the U.S., the foundation has also launched the online cancer CME app, OncoBlast.
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