Cancer is no longer a far-off concern for our country; it’s something almost every family has faced. The numbers are sobering. More than 1.4 million new cancer cases are reported every year in India, and by 2025, that figure may touch 1.5 million. That means nearly 1 in 9 Indians will face cancer during their lifetime.
For women, breast and cervical cancers are the biggest threats. For men, it’s oral and lung cancers. And the hardest part? Too many patients are diagnosed late, when options are limited.
This is exactly why gatherings like the Best of ASCO 2025 in Bangalore matter. They bring the world’s best science right here, so that our doctors and researchers can take it home to their patients.
When the doors opened on the first day, the sight was something we will carry with us for a long time. Over 800 oncologists, researchers, allied health professionals and students filled the halls. The buzz of conversations, the rustle of note-taking and the quiet excitement before each session all reminded us why we put this event together.
For us as hosts, it wasn’t just another conference. It was proof that the oncology community in India is hungry for knowledge, connection, and progress.
The annual ASCO meeting in Chicago is the biggest stage in oncology. Every year, discoveries are unveiled that set the tone for cancer treatment worldwide. But not everyone can travel halfway across the world.
That’s why Best of ASCO in India is so powerful. It brings the highlights home. It makes sure that Indian oncologists are not just catching up later but engaging with the newest science right now, asking tough questions and figuring out how to adapt it to our settings.
Exercise as Medicine – A study showed that structured exercise after colon cancer treatment improved survival, even more than chemotherapy in some cases. This sparked lively debate: should oncologists prescribe exercise like they prescribe medicine?
Immunotherapy Advances – Using immunotherapy earlier in gastric and colon cancers gave significantly better outcomes. For India, where GI cancers are rising, this could be a game-changer.
Breakthroughs in Breast Cancer – With breast cancer being the most common cancer among Indian women, the updates on new therapies like oral SERDs and inavolisib combinations offered real hope.
Precision Oncology with ctDNA – Talks on tracking cancer through a simple blood test (ctDNA) caught everyone’s attention. If we can make this affordable in India, it could transform early detection.
Putting Patients First – Again and again, speakers reminded us that cancer care is not just about survival curves or drug doses. It’s about dignity, mental health and the human journey of every patient.
What touched us the most was the spirit of collaboration. Doctors came not only from large metropolitan areas but also from regional cancer centers and academic institutions. Conversations in the corridors were just as important as those on stage.
People debated how to make these new treatments affordable. Others shared real-world patient experiences that grounded the science. Some asked, How do we bring ctDNA testing to smaller hospitals? These weren’t abstract questions; they were rooted in the everyday challenges of Indian oncology.
Hosting Best of ASCO 2025 in Bangalore was a proud moment, but also a humbling one. The enthusiasm of over 800 participants left us with a renewed sense of duty:
For us, this was not just a conference. It felt like a celebration of science, of collaboration, of hope.
We are deeply thankful to every oncologist, researcher, faculty member and student who joined us. Your energy and commitment made the halls come alive.
As we look back, one truth stands out: the future of cancer care in India will shine brighter when we continue to learn, share and move forward together.
As hosts, Global Healthcare Academy is proud to have played a part in bringing the world’s best science closer to Indian oncology. And as we look back, one truth stands out: the future of cancer care in India will shine brighter when we continue to learn, share and move forward together.
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