Kolkata to host international cancer therapy meet

Around 800 radiation oncologists from India and abroad will discuss new trends in cancer therapy at the 34th annual conference of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI) beginning here Nov 29.

“It will be an opportunity to provide updates on the developments in cancer therapy in the last 20 years. Important papers published on cancer treatment will be presented and discussed and keynote lectures, symposiums and panel discussions will be held,” said Shyamal Kumar Sarkar, organising chairman of the conference called AROICON.

“Twenty international speakers from Europe, America, Canada and Japan, who have made landmark contributions to the field, will be present. There will be around 780 radio-oncologists from India,” said Sarkar.

“Doctors need to be aware of all the available options for treatment. Most often the patients turn up when the tumour is already in the later stages. Awareness of new methods will help these patients,” said AROICON organising secretary Santanu Pal.

The conference will be inaugurated by West Bengal Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya.