HBCH&RC Punjab Concludes 3rd Cancer Conclave; Increase in patient registrations highlight growing cancer care needs in Punjab

New Chandigarh, August 23: The rising number of patients seeking specialised oncology services at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCH&RC), Punjab, a unit of Tata Memorial Centre of the Department of Atomic Energy,  is highlighting the growing need for accessible and comprehensive cancer care in Punjab and the neighboring region, the doctors highlighted, as the institute concluded the third edition of the Homi Bhabha Cancer Conclave (HBCC) 2026, organised from August 21 to 23 under the theme “Bridging Gaps in Oncology – Multidisciplinary Management of Common Cancers”, on Sunday.

While presenting the hospital’s performance data during the conclave, HBCH&RC director Dr Ashish

Gulia, said that the hospital is delivering high-quality and affordable cancer care to patients not only

from Punjab but also from Haryana, Chandigarh (UT), Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir,

Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. During 2025, HBCH&RC Punjab recorded

17,903 new patient registrations, 51,155 chemotherapy sessions, over 6,840 surgical procedures, 28,403

hospital admissions, 7,805 radiotherapies and more than 1.26 million laboratory investigations.

"The new patient registrations are increasing year by year, in both our New Chandigarh and Sangrur

campuses. In 2026, the hospital has already crossed 13,260 new patient registrations, further indicating

the increasing demand for comprehensive cancer treatment services. The steadily increasing number of

patients shows the growing cancer burden in the region. Our responsibility is to ensure that this growing

demand is met with accessible, evidence-based and compassionate cancer care", he said. 

He added, “Our focus is not merely on treating a large number of patients, but on continuously

strengthening the quality, range and accessibility of cancer services. Through this conference, we aimed

to bring in hundreds of best oncologists from across the country, for creating meaningful dialogue

around the complexities of cancer care."

Over the three days, conclave brought together oncology specialists and healthcare professionals for

academic discussions, expert lectures, panel discussions, scientific presentations and specialised pre-

conference workshops.

The HBCC conclave feature dedicated scientific sessions on GI Oncology and Hematology, while on

Sunday, the conference will focus on Head & Neck Cancer, Thoracic Oncology and Dental Rehabilitation.

On Sunday, HBCH&RC also organized a Cancer Awareness Walkathon at Sukhna Lake, wherein over 400

healthcare professionals, patients, survivors and city residents, spread awareness about cancer

prevention and early detection. The event was graced by Chandigarh deputy commissioner Nishant

Kumar Yadav as the Chief Guest. "Early detection remains our most powerful defense in the fight against cancer. When caught at an early stage, cancer is not only highly treatable, but often completely curable", Dr Gulia added