Abhishek Shankar: My take away from Jammu CRABECON
Abhishek Shankar, Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, recently shared on LinkedIn:
“I was in Jammu last month to attend the 10th edition of famous annual conference in Oncology CRABECON which is an initiative of Dr. Deepak Abrol who currently works with American Oncology Institute after working for more than 20 years for Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
This is one of most awaited event in oncology with very rich scientific sessions and learned speakers with a Jammu style hospitality.
I was having multiple responsibilities for this conference. This conference organised a Worksop on Environmental and Occupational Determinants of cancer which is very much relevant in today context in view of emerging role of air pollution as a risk factor for cancer.
I spoke on Air Pollution and Cancer along with panel discussion covering topics related to causal association, carcinogenesis, legislation, prevention and screening in high risk and treatment of these cancers.
I too moderated the panel of women cancer symposium with panelists from diverse groups engaged in cancer care. This was very enlightening to hear real world stories on cancer care at ground level.
My take away from the topics I covered for general public awareness are:
1. We need to counter air pollution like we did for COVID-19 as a most important priority.
2. We can see more number of air pollution associated diseases including cancer and it is going to be worst in the future.
3. Apart from Lung Cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, blood cancers are common air pollution associated cancers.
4. As mortality to incidence ratio is high for women cancer in India in view of advanced stage at presentation, we need to priorise focus on prevention and screening strategies in women cancers.
Thank you Deepak Abrol sir for this opportunity and it’s always great to meet you and learn from you.”
Source: Abhishek Shankar/LinkedIn
