The Global Preventive Onco Summit (GPOS) 2026, a major international forum dedicated to cancer prevention and early intervention, will be held from January 16 to 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Thiruvananthapuram. The three-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme is expected to bring together leading oncologists, public health experts, researchers, policymakers and healthcare professionals from across India and abroad to deliberate on strategies aimed at reducing the global cancer burden.
The summit is being organised under the leadership of Dr. M.V. Pillai, Chairman of GPOS 2026, with Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal serving as General Convenor and Dr. Satheeshan Balasubramanian as Working Chairman. The event seeks to build on the success of the Cancer Safe Kerala initiative by strengthening preventive oncology through early detection, community-based screening, and evidence-driven public health interventions.
GPOS 2026 will place strong emphasis on population-level screening programmes, timely diagnosis, and the integration of preventive healthcare into mainstream medical practice. The summit also aims to promote collaborative frameworks that enable effective referral systems, long-term follow-up care, and the creation of reliable cancer registries to support policy formulation and research.
Renowned experts from India and abroad will address recent advancements in preventive oncology, including innovations in screening technologies, vaccination strategies, lifestyle modification for cancer risk reduction, digital health solutions, and large-scale awareness campaigns. The event will also showcase successful public health models from Kerala and other regions that can be replicated globally.
A key highlight of the summit will be the participation of Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli, Clinical Director at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad. A pioneer in robotic oncological surgery in India, Dr. Sunkavalli has performed more than 300 complex robotic cancer surgeries. He is also the founder of the Grace Cancer Foundation, which focuses on cancer education, early detection, comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation, and advanced research aimed at achieving a cancer-free society.
The organising committee includes Dr. Chandramohan K, Dr. Rajneesh Kumar R, Dr. Balagopal P.G, and Dr. Bipin K Gopal as Working Chairmen; Dr. K.L. Jayakumar, Dr. Arun R. Warrier, Dr. R.C. Sreekumar, and Dr. P.P. Ansar as Organising Secretaries; and S. Gopinath, IPS (Retd), Maj. Gen. Dr. Sabari Girish (Retd), Dr. Rijo Mathew, Flemy Abraham, Biby George Chacko, and Abey George in key coordination roles.
GPOS 2026 aims to foster global collaboration and drive actionable solutions toward a future free from preventable cancers.
