7th Cancer Summit & Awards 2026

Overview

The Cancer Summit & Awards by the Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council is a national platform dedicated to transforming India’s cancer care landscape through innovation, policy dialogue, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The summit brings together leading oncologists, policymakers, researchers, patient-advocacy groups, hospitals, and industry leaders to address critical gaps in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment access, and patient support. With a strong emphasis on equitable care, the summit explores how advanced technologies, innovative medicines, and evidence-based policies—such as Ayushman Bharat and other national health insurance frameworks—can strengthen access and affordability for patients across the country. Discussions focus on enabling innovation, improving access pathways, strengthening HCP engagement, and developing sustainable, patient-centric cancer care models. The Awards segment recognizes outstanding institutions and initiatives that have made impactful contributions to awareness, screening, research, patient support, and oncology advancement in India.

Key Discussion Points

Agenda

Session I :- INDIA’S CANCER BURDEN & CHANGING CARE LANDSCAPE

A high-level look at current epidemiology, emerging trends, early detection gaps, and priority action areas for India.

Session II :- INNOVATING CANCER DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT: TECHNOLOGY, PRECISION MEDICINE & NEW THERAPIE

Focus on digital tools, molecular diagnostics, AI, precision oncology, and cost-effective innovations for scalable impact.

Session III :- CANCER CARE & POLICY INTEGRATION: LEVERAGING AYUSHMAN BHARAT & NATIONAL INSURANCE SCHEMES

Exploring how public health schemes can strengthen access, affordability, reimbursements, and financial protection.

Session IV :- ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS: REACHING TIER-2/3 CITIES & RURAL INDIA

Models to expand screening, diagnosis and treatment in underserved regions through decentralised care and community engagement

Session V :- PATIENT-CENTRIC CANCER CARE: NAVIGATION, COUNSELLING & SURVIVORSHIP SUPPORT

Enhancing patient journeys through holistic care, mental health support, palliative care, and long-term survivorship programs.

Session VI :- STRENGTHENING HCP ENGAGEMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING

Training, technology enablement, outcome-based learning, and building a stronger oncology workforce across India.

Session VII :- RESEARCH, CLINICAL TRIALS & INDIA’S ONCOLOGY INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

Enabling access to clinical trials, regulatory improvements, translational research, and industry-academia collaboration.

Session VIII :- DIGITAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION: TELEONCOLOGY, AI & DATA-DRIVEN CANCER CARE MODELS

Using digital platforms to improve continuity of care, remote monitoring, data insights, and community outreach.

Session IX :- FINANCING, PARTNERSHIPS & MULTI-STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION FOR IMPACT

How hospitals, government, NGOs, pharma companies and CSR initiatives can co-create sustainable cancer-care pathways.

Speakers

Dr. Dinesh Pendharkar

Director

Sarvodaya Hospital

Dr. Hemant Malhotra

Director, Oncology Services, Sri Ram Cancer & Super-specialty Center, Professor & Head, Dept. of Medical Oncology

Mahatma Gandhi Medical College Hospital

Dr. Ankur Bahl

Principal Director – Medical Oncology

Fortis

Dr. Shipra Gupta

Associate Consultant - Oncology

Paras Health

Pratima Tripathi

Commercial Director – Oncology

Servier

Anchal Sharma

Stage 3 Breast Cancer Founder

CanHeal

Dr. Abhishek Shankar

Assistant Professor

Department of Radiation Oncology

Dr. Aliasgar Patanwala

Lead – Market Access

Servier

Dr. Shweta Bhardwaj

HOD, Department of Medicine,

Military Hospital, Agra

Henna Dhawan

Head – Country Public Affairs

Novartis

Dr Vivek Tomar

Patient Advocate and Founder

LK Positive India

Dr. Tina Bhardwaj

Head – Oncogenomics

LifeCell Diagnostics

Vandana Mahajan

Lead Counselor

Lung Connect India Foundation

Sreemanta Bhattacharya

Director

RS Associates

Dr. Shivani Sharma

Director of Laboratory Services and Vice President – Pathology

Core Diagnostics

Dr. Shashank Teotia

Chief Human Resource Officer

Paras Health

Dr. Kanika Sood Sharma

Director & Clinical Lead - Radiation Oncology

Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital

Dr. Indu Bansal Aggarwal

Group Director & Head Radiation Oncology

Paras Healthcare Pvt. Ltd

Dr. Tejinder Kataria

Chairperson Radiation Oncology

Medanta

Dr. Amita Yadav

Director - Government Relations, India and South Asia

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Sharad Goswami

Senior Director Global Policy

International Public Affairs at Pfizer

Dr. S. Hukku

Radiation Oncologist

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

Dr. Shyam Aggarwal

Chairperson and Head of the Department of Medical Oncology

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

Dr. Ravi Mehrotra

Founder

Centre for Health Innovation and Policy (Chip India)

Jyotsna Govil

Vice-Chairperson

Indian Cancer Society

Dr. Vibhav Garg

President – Global Government Affairs

Meril

Dr. Shelly Mahajan

Lab Director

Mahajan imaging and labs

Prabhat Sinha

Head of Corporate Affairs

Takeda India

Dr. Sanjiv Kumar

Governing Board Member

NIHFW & Former Director, IIHMR Delhi

Dr. Urvashi Prasad

Former Director

NITI Aayog

Dr. Monika Puri

Chief Country Access & Policy Officer

Roche

Dr. Sunil K. Khetrapal

Deputy Director General

Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI)

Amit Kumar Ghosh (IAS)

Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Health, Family Welfare & Medical Education Department

Government of UP

Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey

Senior BJP Leader & Former Union Minister of State

Govt. of India

Sujaya Krishnan

Former Joint Secretary

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India,

IHW Council’s Cancer Advocacy Initiatives

7th Edition Cancer Summit & Award 2026

The Cancer Care Awards stand as a beacon of recognition and celebration, honoring exceptional contributions in the field of cancer care. This prestigious event aims to acknowledge and applaud the tireless efforts of individuals, organizations, and initiatives that have demonstrated outstanding commitment, innovation, and compassion in the realm of cancer care.

This platform celebrates remarkable achievements, from groundbreaking research and innovative treatment modalities to impactful awareness campaigns and patient-centric initiatives.

Shaping Cancer Conversations: Past Highlights

TATA 1MG

Session Focus: Revolutionizing Cancer Care Through Digital Health

This session explored how digital health innovations are reshaping cancer care delivery across India by improving access, reducing costs, and strengthening patient support systems. Key highlights included::

Leveraging tele-oncology, AI-driven diagnostics, and digital platforms to expand access to quality cancer care, especially for remote and underserved regions.
Enhancing affordability through technology-enabled efficiencies, remote monitoring, and streamlined care pathways.
Empowering patients with digital tools that support navigation, adherence, counselling, and continuity of care

The session emphasized how digital transformation can bridge longstanding gaps in India’s cancer ecosystem. It underscored the power of technology-driven collaboration to create a future where every patient receives timely, affordable, and holistic cancer care—regardless of geography or socioeconomic background.

Pfizer India

Session Focus: Prioritizing Accessible and Affordable Cancer Care

Pfizer India led a critical session on the need for accessible and affordable cancer care for all. Key highlights included:

Bridging gaps in access to cancer treatments, especially for underserved communities.
The role of public-private partnerships in transforming cancer care delivery.
Developing national healthcare policies that prioritize affordability and equity.

Pfizer’s session provided a strong foundation for the summit, encouraging collaborative efforts to ensure equitable cancer care. It underscored the importance of collective action to shape a future where cancer care is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or resources

Partners

Session I :- Patient Centricity in Modern Healthcare

Healthcare systems are transforming to place patients at the centre of care delivery. This session examines how hospitals, diagnostics providers, and digital health innovators are reimagining patient experience, from first contact to recovery, through empathy-driven design, inclusive access, real-time feedback mechanisms, and outcome-based care models.

Session II :- Diagnostics & Preventive Screening: Precision, Speed & Access

Diagnostics are increasingly the first and most critical touchpoint in a patient’s healthcare journey. This session highlights innovations across molecular diagnostics, imaging, early disease detection, and point-of-care testing — while addressing how integrated diagnostic networks can reduce time to treatment, improve equity, and build preventive health cultures across urban and rural populations.

Session III :- Chronic Disease 360: Integrated Care for Diabetes, Cardiac & Renal Health

Chronic diseases account for a significant burden on India’s health systems. This session focuses on integrated, long-term care pathways that combine prevention, technology, insurance collaboration, and outcome-based monitoring to improve patient quality of life.

FIRESIDE CHAT :- Genetic Diseases: Unravelling the Code — Diagnosis, Counselling & the Future of Precision Medicine

An intimate conversation exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of genetic and rare diseases. The discussion will cover advances in genetic testing and genomic sequencing, the role of counselling and family-centred care, ethical challenges in disclosure and data privacy, and how precision medicine and gene therapies are redefining what’s possible for patients with hereditary conditions.

PANEL DISCUSSION :- Jhipiego: Bridging HIV and Cervical Cancer Care: Integrating HPV Screening for Women Living with HIV

To deliberate on the importance, feasibility, and challenges of integrating HPV screening into HIV care services for women living with HIV, and to identify actionable strategies for scale-up in India. Objective: Examine barriers to HPV screening uptake among women living with HIV Explore integrated service delivery models combining HIV & cervical cancer care Identify policy levers and programmatic enablers for national scale-up Discuss the role of community health workers, patient advocacy, and digital tools

Session IV :- Emerging Trends in Metabolic Health: A Patient-First Approach to Prevention & Care

Metabolic health challenges are rapidly evolving, with rising trends in obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle-related disorders across all age groups. These interconnected conditions are reshaping the burden of chronic disease and demand a more proactive, patient-centric approach at the frontline of care

Session V :- Merck Session: Voices That Matter: Patient Expectations from Bladder Cancer Treatment

This session will highlight the importance of Quality of Life (QoL) in the holistic management of patients with bladder cancer, going beyond clinical outcomes to encompass physical comfort, emotional well-being, dignity, and daily functioning. Experts will discuss patient-centered care approaches, management of treatment-related side effects, psychological support, rehabilitation, survivorship needs, and the role of caregivers in improving overall patient experience and outcomes.

Session VI :- Advancing Health Equity — A Patient-First Approach from Policy to Grassroots

Health equity is at the heart of building a resilient and inclusive healthcare system. This session will examine how patient-centric policies can move beyond intent to implementation, ensuring meaningful access, affordability, and quality care at the grassroots level. The discussion will highlight strategies to bridge infrastructure and workforce gaps, strengthen primary healthcare networks, and foster collaborative partnerships that create measurable impact across both urban and rural communities.

AWARDS CEREMONY :- Patient First Awards & Smart Hospital and Diagnostics Awards

Celebrating excellence in patient-centred care, smart healthcare innovation, and diagnostic advancement. Recognising hospitals, institutions, and individuals who are setting new benchmarks for what it means to put patients first.