Manipal Hospital EM Bypass organised another edition of its flagship media engagement initiative, Anveshana, in Malda on Monday, bringing together leading oncology specialists to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early diagnosis and advances in treatment. The event also marked the launch of the Media Privilege Card, aimed at strengthening collaboration with journalists and improving access to credible healthcare information. The programme comes amid a rising cancer burden in India. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the country is expected to record nearly 15.7 lakh new cancer cases by 2025, up from around 14.6 lakh in 2022. Experts said delayed diagnosis, lack of awareness and misconceptions continue to hinder timely treatment despite major advances in cancer care.
Specialists including Dr. Sudeep Das, Head and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology; Dr. ArindamMondal, Head and Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology; and Dr. Sayan Das, Head and Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology, highlighted developments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, robotic-assisted surgery, IGRT, IMRT, VMAT and SBRT, stressing that early screening and multidisciplinary treatment significantly improve patient outcomes. In Malda, the initiative reflects growing demand for specialised oncology services and greater health awareness across north Bengal. Increased public engagement on cancer screening is expected to encourage more patients from Malda and neighbouring districts to seek timely consultations at advanced healthcare centres, while also strengthening the region’s healthcare ecosystem through better access to specialist information and referral networks.
Hospital officials said the Media Privilege Card will facilitate continued medical education, expert interactions and timely dissemination of evidence-based healthcare information, with the broader objective of improving health literacy and promoting responsible medical reporting.