India now ‘Oral Cancer Capital of World’: Dr.  Sandeep Kukkar

Una, August 28, 2026: While highlighting the role of timely treatment in cancer, Dr. Sandeep Kukkar, director medical oncology at Park Hospital, Mohali emphasized that the cancer can be treated if diagnosed on time.
Addressing a press conference at Una on Friday, Dr. Kukkar said that 30 lakh people in India suffer from cancer, of which 15.6 lakh are new cases.
He said, “Cancer claims 8.7 lakh lives each year in India. Breast & Cervical cancers are the most common cancers in females, whereas lung & liver are most common cancers in males in India.”
He also shared that breast self-examination and mammography is a noble technique to deduct breast cancer cases at an early stage and simple investigations like chest X-ray & PSA can help in picking up lung cancer & prostate cancer in early stages.
Dr Kukkar further said that these days most of the cancer surgeries can be done by robotics or laparoscopically. The robotic onco surgery is a much better option than open surgery for various body tumors including esophageal, stomach, pancreatic , uterine and rectal cancers. Advantages of robotic surgery included lesser Pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, no blood loss and improved cosmesis, he informed.
Sharing his views about recent advances in the field of cancer treatment, Dr Kukkar said that newer cancer treatments like immunotherapy and targeted therapy have brought a major change in cancer care.
“These medicines work by strengthening the body’s own immune system or by attacking cancer cells more precisely, without harming normal cells. As a result, most of the patients now live longer, experience fewer side effects, and enjoy a better quality of life compared to older treatments like chemotherapy.”
Ashish Chadha, group CEO North-Park Hospitals said,” Park Grecian Hospital Mohali was the first hospital in tricity to start comprehensive cancer care under one room  . The patients from Mohali, Chandigarh Panchkula, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu, Manali, Solan & Shimla are immensely benefited from this. He also shared that Grecian PARK Hospital Mohali  is  empaneled with  Himachal Govt, ECHS ,  CGHS, ESI, CAPF, Ayushman, all  Major TPAS & corporates for cancer treatment.”