The North-East Community Awareness Plenary (NECAP) on Cancer & Autism 2025 was successfully held on February 23 at Tezpur College, Assam. This major event united medical experts, caregivers, educators, and social activists to discuss scientific advancements, break misconceptions, and strengthen community support networks for cancer patients and individuals with autism.
Organized by the Viswapragna Foundation in collaboration with Tezpur College, Darrang College, Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology (ISMPO), and Indian Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ISCCP), NECAP 2025 marked an important step in public healthcare awareness in Assam.
Addressing Key Issues in Cancer and Autism
The plenary featured interactive sessions and expert-led discussions, tackling pressing concerns related to cancer treatment, autism awareness, and the role of evidence-based approaches in improving healthcare outcomes.
Renowned oncologists, geneticists, biotechnologists, child psychiatrists, and psychologists shared their insights, helping attendees gain clarity on cancer prevention, treatment challenges, early diagnosis, and autism support strategies.
Cancer Awareness Sessions: Breaking Myths and Encouraging Early Detection
Cancer remains one of the leading health challenges in Northeast India. NECAP 2025 focused on educating the public about preventive measures, early screening, and treatment options.
1. Dispelling Common Cancer Myths
💡 Dr. Raghunadha Rao Digumarti (B.C. Roy Awardee, Medical Oncologist) debunked widespread myths about cancer, such as:
✔️ Sugar feeds cancer – No scientific evidence supports this claim.
✔️ Alkaline water prevents cancer – Misleading information with no clinical backing.
2. Importance of HPV Vaccination
💉 Dr. Leela Digumarti (President, ISCCP) emphasized the role of HPV vaccines in preventing cervical cancer and other related cancers. She urged parents and young adults to consider vaccination as a proactive step in cancer prevention.
3. Addressing Biopsy Misconceptions
🔬 Dr. Ghanashyam Biswas (Sparsh Group of Hospitals) tackled the misconception that biopsies and medical scans spread cancer. He clarified that early detection through proper screening majorly improves survival rates.
4. Managing Cancer Recurrence
🔄 Dr. Govind Babu K (Former Head, Kidwai Memorial Hospital) shed light on cancer recurrence and long-term management strategies, stressing the importance of lifestyle changes and regular medical follow-ups.
5. The Role of Palliative Care
🤝 Dr. Sujit Kumar Mullapally (Apollo Chennai) spoke about the need to improve palliative and end-of-life care, ensuring better quality of life for cancer patients.
The sessions were chaired by leading oncologists from Guwahati, including Dr. Chidananda Bhuyan, Dr. Naresh Jadhav, and Dr. Rajiv Paul, alongside faculty members from Tezpur University, Tezpur College, and Darrang College.
Autism Awareness Track: Empowering Parents and Educators
NECAP 2025 also placed a strong emphasis on autism awareness, equipping parents, educators, and caregivers with practical strategies to support autistic individuals.
1. Recognizing Early Signs of Autism
🧠 Dr. Naresh Kalakota (NIMHANS) and Dr. Nikita Bhat provided insights into early autism diagnosis and the importance of timely intervention.
2. Managing Comorbidities in Autistic Children
🩺 Dr. Siddeswara B.L. (LGBRIMH) explained how to manage co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing disorders in autistic children.
3. Home-Based Autism Support Strategies
🏡 Dr. Priyadarshee Abhishek (LGBRIMH) shared practical home strategies for parents and caregivers, focusing on communication, behavior management, and skill-building for autistic individuals.
Launch of the Community Awareness and Action Group (CAAG)
A major highlight of NECAP 2025 was the launch of the Community Awareness and Action Group (CAAG)—a dedicated support network for cancer patients and autism caregivers.
✔️ Who is part of CAAG?
The group comprises oncologists, counselors, financial advisors, legal experts, social activists, teachers, cancer patients, and their families.
✔️ What will CAAG do?
📌 Provide emotional and informational support to cancer patients and autism caregivers.
📌 Organize cancer screening, prevention, and early diagnosis programs.
📌 Raise awareness on evidence-based cancer treatment and autism intervention strategies.
📌 Advocate for better healthcare policies and accessibility.
Community Participation and Impact
NECAP 2025 witnessed participation from patients undergoing treatment, family members of cancer-afflicted individuals, medical students, social activists, and educators.
✔️ Students played a key role, making the event highly interactive.
✔️ Families of cancer patients and autistic individuals found a platform to seek guidance from experts.
The event underscored the need for continued efforts in community-driven healthcare awareness and emphasized that early intervention and scientific knowledge are key to tackling cancer and autism effectively.
The success of NECAP 2025 marks a major step in raising public awareness about cancer and autism in Assam. By combining medical expertise, community involvement, and scientific insights, the event provided a strong foundation for future initiatives in healthcare awareness.
With the launch of CAAG, NECAP 2025 ensures that the impact of this conference extends beyond the event, driving ongoing support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by cancer and autism.
As Assam continues to prioritize public health initiatives, such platforms will play a crucial role in bridging healthcare gaps, reducing stigma, and improving early diagnosis and intervention efforts.
