Binaytara 7th International Cancer Congress: Pioneering Sessions for Equitable Cancer Care

7th International Cancer Congress Highlights Equal Access to Cancer Care

Janakpurdham, Nepal— On March 21st, 2025, Binaytara hosted its 7th International Cancer Congress (ICC) in Janakpurdham, emphasizing equal access to cancer care, diagnosis, and treatment. This 2-day event gathered leading national and international experts on hematologic malignancies and solid tumors to address critical topics in cancer care. They shared data covering guidelines, recommendations, and recent therapeutic advances for cancer patients. With its multidisciplinary sessions, case-based discussions, and abstract presentations, the conference provided attendees with deeper insights into translating clinical innovations to practice in resource-limited settings.

Expert Panels Discuss Real-World Challenges and Successes

One of the key highlights of the ICC is its comprehensive programming designed to address the challenges of cancer care delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). ICC2025 offered a variety of sessions tailored to provide actionable insights that can be immediately implemented in the field. As Dr. Kapendra Shekhar Amatya, the conference chair and surgical oncologist at Nepal Cancer Hospital, said, “This event provided a platform for global experts to discuss the latest treatment techniques, methods, best practices, and experiences. It also helps facilitate knowledge sharing among specialists from different hospitals and countries.”

The program began on March 21, 2025, with a session on Head and Neck Cancer, chaired by Dr. Bajrang Sah. Dr. Prabhat Thakur, a surgeon, presented on the surgical principles in managing head and neck cancer. This first session was concluded with a case-based presentation by Dr. Bajrang Sah. In the afternoon, researchers shared their scientific findings in an oral abstract presentation session chaired by Dr. Ramesh Shrestha.

Poster presentation session at ICC2025

Following these presentations, a session on hematologic malignancies co-chaired by Dr. Sajin Rajbhandary and Amit Shrestha ensued. Dr. Shrestha discussed the recent advances in the management of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) while Dr. Tantravahi from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, USA, presented on targeted therapies in acute leukemia. The day ended with tumor board-style discussions chaired by Dr. Mark Pegram, where doctors discussed 4 challenging cancer cases from a medical standpoint.

Dr. Mark Pegram, the Suzy Yuan-Huey Endowed Professor of Medical Oncology and Associate Director of Clinical Research at Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Institute, remarked, “These discussions contribute to enhancing cancer treatment services here and broaden our knowledge through shared experiences.”

Dr. Mark Pegram presenting at ICC2025

Advancing Cancer Care Across Multiple Specialties

Binaytara’s commitment to prevention, early screening, and detection was showcased in the ICC2025 sessions held on March 22. The conference opened with presentations on gynecologic cancers, chaired by Dr. Jitendra Pariyar. Dr. Ying Liu, a medical oncologist from the University of Washington, provided an overview of cervical cancer screening, a key initiative of Binaytara’s Center for Women's Cancer Access and Advocacy. This was followed by a case-based presentation by Dr. Shrestha and a panel discussion led by Dr. Surya Prasad Rimal.

The day's sessions also covered updates in the management of breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and genitourinary cancer, incorporating case-based discussions to address real-world challenges and applications. These sessions were chaired by Dr. Satyadeep Bhattacharya, Dr. Rayamajhi, Dr. Pegram, and Dr. Ghosh.

Case-based presentation session

Additionally, ICC2025 highlighted the role of supportive care in cancer, including hospice care, ostomy management in cancer patients, and neutropenic fever. This session, chaired by Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, featured a Q&A segment to encourage discussion and active learning.

Dr. Binay Shah, the conference director and president of Binaytara, and Justin Maquart, the chief development officer, gave a talk on the organization’s efforts in improving cancer care disparities. Dr. Shah stated, “Advocacy efforts are one of the major components of our mission to improve access to cancer care.” Through these sessions, ICC2025 attendees were encouraged to have interdisciplinary collaborations to drive systemic changes that improve the sustainability and access of cancer care delivery.

Driving Change in Cancer Care: The Impact of ICC 2025

The 7th International Cancer Congress is one of many initiatives Binaytara has designed to serve as a catalyst for change in the management of cancer. The numerous impactful sessions filled with valuable and actionable insights make ICC 2025 a memorable and influential global event.

Attendees engaging at ICC2025

We have identified several urgent challenges in cancer care, including increasing access to care in underserved regions, raising awareness about prevention and early detection, and bridging the gap between medical research and clinical practice. Several of our initiatives are dedicated to addressing these issues.

Our annual conferences, the International Cancer Congress in Nepal and the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities in the United States, focus on implementation science and advocacy while bringing together healthcare practitioners and faculty from diverse backgrounds to foster collaboration. Similarly, our online cancer continuing medical education (CME) app, OncoBlast, is redefining how medical professionals learn and stay updated in the ever-evolving landscape of medical research.

Looking Forward: The Future of Cancer Care in Nepal and Beyond

As the global healthcare community continues to confront the burden of cancer, implementing programs in LMICs is essential to advancing health equity and minimizing disparities. Currently, Binaytara is implementing a comprehensive approach to enhance women’s cancer care access, which focuses on cervical cancer screening, chemotherapy services, and the establishment of a women's cancer center.

A major goal of Binaytara is to build a state-of-the-art 200-bed comprehensive cancer hospital in Janakpur to serve more than 6 million people in Madhesh Province, as well as patients from Bihar, India. This is the largest healthcare infrastructure project by an international non-profit in Nepal. Our current 25-bed hospital in Janakpur, provides essential cancer services, including diagnosis, chemotherapy, surgery, and palliative care, but lacks critical treatments such as radiation therapy and stem cell transplants. The upgraded facility will offer a full range of cancer treatments comparable to leading research institutions. Construction is set to begin soon, with the radiation oncology unit expected to be operational within a year and the entire hospital completed in approximately two years.

Beyond treatment, the facility will prioritize early detection and prevention through community health camps, offering screenings for cervical, breast, and oral cancers. These initiatives, along with increased access to palliative care and patient education, will help reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses and improve survival rates. This project is part of Binaytara’s larger global vision to establish similar hospitals in low- and middle-income countries, with discussions already underway for future sites in Nigeria and Guatemala.