At the ESMO Congress 2025, researchers from the Institute of Breast Disease, Kolkata, unveiled a pioneering initiative – “Das & Mandal’s Model for Sustainable Cancer Awareness Generation: Training School Students to Build a ‘Cancer-Aware’ Future.”
This model represents a unique, large-scale public health program designed to integrate cancer awareness into school education. Implemented in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal, the initiative has already reached over 200,000 students across 25 districts.
Empowering the Next Generation
Developed by Dr. Soumen Das and Dr. Sujata Mandal, the program trains school students as peer educators, equipping them with fundamental knowledge about cancer prevention, early detection, and lifestyle risk factors. By embedding this education during adolescence – a formative stage for developing lifelong habits – the initiative builds a grassroots, community-based approach to cancer prevention.
A Scalable Model for LMICs
The program is being recognized as a replicable model for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where limited healthcare resources often hinder preventive oncology efforts.
“By empowering students, we are cultivating a generation that can carry forward the message of cancer awareness within families and communities,” said Dr. Das, Director of the Institute of Breast Disease.
Global Relevance and Recognition
Presented under Abstract 2329P at ESMO 2025 (Berlin), the initiative has drawn attention from global health experts for its sustainability, scale, and community impact.
A short video summarizing the project and its outcomes showcases how education-driven cancer awareness can transform public health at the population level. The team invites the oncology community to collaborate in expanding the model globally.
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