The Second J&K International Conference on Breast and Allied Cancers (2nd JK-IBAC-2025) organised by the Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir ( KU) started here at KU on Monday.
The three-day conference is being held in collaboration with Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar as health partners and is sponsored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
The conference aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform for clinicians, researchers, academicians and healthcare professionals to deliberate on emerging challenges, recent advances and future strategies in the prevention, diagnosis and management of breast and allied cancers, with a special focus on research integration, awareness generation and community engagement.
In her presidential address, Vice Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan, said that the University has made significant contributions to cancer-related research through its faculty and researchers, with several departments and centres earning recognition for their scientific work and publications.
Highlighting the social responsibility of academic institutions, the Vice-Chancellor said "While research and medical interventions continue to progress, awareness and outreach must be accorded priority, particularly at the grassroots level."
She underlined the need to sensitise communities about lifestyle, dietary habits and early warning signs of cancer, and called for more awareness programmes, community-level campaigns and extension services through national and international collaborations to create a strong support system against the disease.
Renowned senior oncologist Prof. Sameer Koul from Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, emphasised the need for developing standardised clinical practice protocols for cancer care. He described the conference as an ideal platform for evolving consensus on breast cancer management and advocated for organising regular breast cancer consensus meetings.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal, Government Medical College Srinagar and Dean, School of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences KU Prof. Dr. Iffat Hassan Shah, said the theme of the conference is highly relevant to women’s health. She pointed out that social stigma, taboos and inadequate screening continue to hinder early detection of breast cancer and stressed that greater efforts are required to educate women and raise awareness about early signs and symptoms to save precious lives.
In his remarks, Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal, described cancer as a deadly disease that has affected humanity across generations. He said that researchers and medical practitioners across the world are striving hard to find effective cures and stressed the need for collective efforts and integration of research activities being carried out at different centres under a unified research framework.
Deputy Director General, CCRUM, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Dr. Younis Iftikhar Munshi, emphasised the importance of integrating modern science and technology with traditional systems of medicine to combat cancer. He informed that under the Ministry of AYUSH, CCRUM is supporting several cancer-related research projects at premier institutions across the country, with a number of projects already successfully completed.
Head, Department of Bioresources, KU Dr. Reiaz-ul-Rehman, in his introductory remarks, reiterated the University’s commitment towards society by organising such conferences. He appreciated the role of doctors, clinicians, healthcare professionals and researchers, terming them instrumental in improving cancer survival rates and strengthening the fight against the disease.
In his opening remarks, Organising Secretary of the Conference, Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Mir, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates and highlighted the objectives of the conference. He said cancer continues to be a major global health challenge, with nearly 20 million new cases reported worldwide, and breast cancer accounting for a significant proportion among women. He highlighted the challenges faced by medical practitioners in addressing breast and allied cancers and stressed the importance of early detection, awareness and preventive strategies.
On the occasion, the souvenir/ abstract book of the conference was released, and a book release ceremony was held featuring several publications authored by faculty of the Department over recent years.
The three-day international conference features keynote lectures, technical sessions, panel discussions, oral and poster presentations covering themes such as stem cell research, cancer epigenetics, medical and surgical oncology, drug discovery, radiotherapy, diagnostics, artificial intelligence in oncology and cancer prevention.
The conference has drawn participation from leading clinicians, scientists, researchers and students from across the country and abroad, who will deliberate on advancing research, fostering collaborations and strengthening awareness initiatives during the course of the event.
