Early Detection Key to Beating Cancer, Says PGIMS Expert

Rohtak, October 4, 2026: Fear and denial often stop people from getting even basic health checks, allowing diseases to worsen, said Dr Sanjay Kumar, Professor, Department of Pathology, PGIMS, Rohtak.

Speaking on the concluding day of the two-day International Breast Pathology Conference and Workshop on Sunday, Dr Kumar said people often avoided tests for blood pressure, diabetes and even cancer because of the fear of a serious diagnosis or prolonged medication.

“Cancer should not be feared; it should be fought,” he said, underlining the role of the media in encouraging people to seek timely medical advice.

The conference brought together experts from pathology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology and radiology for discussions on breast cancer diagnosis and management. Experts also deliberated on cancer patterns in the region, including BRCA1- and BRCA2-related cancers.

Conference chairperson Dr Sunita Singh said regular breast self-examination was important, while women at high risk should undergo an annual MRI on medical advice. She said PGIMS had begun work on genetics and molecular-level diagnosis to strengthen targeted cancer therapy.

               A multidisciplinary panel discussed tumour grading, biopsy, markers and diagnostic challenges, stressing that accurate pathological diagnosis was central to selecting the right treatment.

Dr Nisha Marwah cautioned against the misconception that breast removal always eliminates cancer, while Dr Rajnish Kalra urged people with even a slight suspicion of cancer to consult a specialist. Early-stage cancer, he said, could often be treated successfully.

Former student makes 12,000-km journey

A highlight of the conference was Dr Vidu Kaushik, a former PGIMS student and consultant pathologist in the US, who travelled nearly 12,000 km across five countries to reach Rohtak. She delivered a special lecture on lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Dr Kaushik, who has been working at OSF St Francis Medical Center, Peoria, since 2015, said Indian doctors were doing commendable work despite limited resources and that healthcare facilities in the country had improved considerably.

Incharge PR Dr Manjunath BC, Dr Veena Gupta, Dr Meenu Gill, Dr Satprakash Kataria, Dr Sumiti Gupta, Dr Sonia Chhabra, Dr Monica Gupta, Dr Promil Jain, Dr Renuka Verma, Dr Richa and Dr Usha contributed to the conference.