Two-Day XXXIV UPARIOICON-2023 UP State Chapter conference begins
Aligarh : The Department of Radiation Oncology at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), AMU, kick-started the two-day XXXIV UPARIOICON-2023 UP State Chapter conference today, organised under the aegis of Association of Radiation Oncologists of India. Theme: “Glorious Past, Emerging Future,” the event commenced at Hotel Ramada, Aligarh.
Dr. Prashant Mathur, Director of ICMR-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, graced the inaugural occasion as the Chief Guest, shedding light on the escalating cancer burden in India. The nation, facing an estimated 1,461,427 new cases and a crude incidence rate of 100.4 per 100,000 people, confronts a substantial health and financial challenge. Dr. Mathur stressed that almost 50% of cancers can be avoided through risk reduction strategies like addressing tobacco and alcohol use, diet, physical activity, air pollution, overweight or obesity, and infections.
Over the past three decades, the pattern of cancer diagnosis has shifted, with 60 to 70% of cases now identified at advanced stages. Although early detection and cancer screening programmes are crucial, they are in early development stages. The conference underscored the urgent need for universal, cost-effective, accessible, and equitable cancer care, particularly in light of the increased complexity and cost associated with treating advanced-stage cancers., he added
Presiding over the function, Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Gulrez highlighted the importance of conferences like UPAROICON, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration. He expressed hope that the conference would contribute to intellectual growth and positive change in radiation oncology.
Dr. Surbhi Gupta, General Secretary of UP-AROI, commended the conference theme and emphasised the role of technological advancements in radiotherapy since the discovery of X-rays in 1895.
Prof. Veena Maheshwari, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, addressed challenges in oncology healthcare in India, including infrastructure limitations and lack of awareness.
The organising chairman, Prof. Mohammad Akram, stressed the importance of learning from accumulated clinical experiences and laboratory research. He highlighted the need to balance the technical aspects of radiation therapy with insights from cancer biology, incorporating advancements in AI, genomics, proteomics, and radiomics.
With over 200 delegates from across Uttar Pradesh, the conference aimed to explore and debate best practises in radiation therapy. Dr. Mohsin Khan, organising secretary, delivered a vote of thanks, while Dr. Samreen Zaheer conducted the proceedings.