Secretary's Message

President's Message
Dr Rajesh Balakrishnan

Secretary

Dear Colleagues,

Warm greetings to all members of the AROI Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Chapter.

It is both a privilege and a responsibility to serve as the Secretary of our vibrant academic community. Our chapter represents a unique blend of experience, innovation, and commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred cancer care.

Cancer care in Tamil Nadu is at a pivotal point. Our state benefits from one of the most comprehensive population-based cancer surveillance systems in the country through the Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Project (TNCRP), and is among the few to have made cancer a reportable disease—reflecting a strong commitment to data-driven oncology. At the same time, the burden continues to rise, with cases increasing from approximately 76,968 in 2021 to over 1,00,000 annually in recent estimates, highlighting the growing demand for oncology services. Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women, while tobacco-related cancers continue to predominate among men.

Encouragingly, Tamil Nadu has made significant progress through sustained government initiatives, including population-based screening programs, financial protection schemes, and evolving network-based cancer care models that aim to improve access and equity across the state.

Importantly, our state continues to be a leader in oncology education and training. With multiple institutions offering postgraduate programs in radiation oncology and a strong ecosystem of high-volume centres and academic institutions, we are well positioned to advance clinical excellence, collaborative research, and innovation in patient care.

In this evolving landscape, the role of our association becomes even more relevant. As radiation oncologists, we stand at the intersection of technology, biology, and compassionate care. Our collective efforts must focus not only on advancing precision and outcomes but also on ensuring accessibility, quality, and equity in treatment delivery.

Over the coming years, we aim to strengthen our academic initiatives, promote collaborative research across institutions, and create more platforms for meaningful engagement—particularly for our postgraduate students and early-career colleagues. Encouraging participation, mentorship, and shared learning will remain central to our vision.

Our chapter’s strength lies in its people—your expertise, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to contribute. I invite each one of you to actively participate in our academic activities, share your insights, and help shape the future direction of our association.

Together, let us continue to advance the science and practice of radiation oncology, while remaining firmly committed to improving outcomes for the patients we serve.

With warm regards,
Dr Rajesh Balakrishnan
Secretary
AROI Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Chapter

References