Building a Cancer-Safe Future — / One Community at a Time
The Global Preventive Onco Summit 2026 (GPOS 2026), to be held from January 16–18, 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a landmark international event dedicated to shifting the global narrative around cancer from treatment to prevention, early detection, and holistic community engagement.
More than just a conference, GPOS 2026 is the culmination of a transformative journey led by Kerala’s groundbreaking initiatives in cancer prevention. It brings together global experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals, technologists, traditional practitioners, and communities under one vision: a cancer-safe future for all.
Where It All Began
The foundation for GPOS 2026 was laid through a series of successful and impactful summits and community-driven health programs in Kerala:
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Kerala Preventive Onco Summit 2022
Held at Somatheeram Beach Resort, this inaugural event brought together oncologists, researchers, and healthcare institutions to spotlight the rising cancer burden in Kerala. It emphasized lifestyle-related risk factors, early screening, and the integration of traditional and modern approaches to prevention.
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International Preventive Onco Summit 2023 (IPOS 2023)
A milestone moment in Kerala’s public health history, IPOS 2023 introduced a paradigm shift—placing prevention at the heart of cancer control. Organized as part of Swasthi Foundation’s 10th anniversary, it launched the Cancer Safe Kerala initiative and brought global attention to Kerala’s potential as a leader in preventive oncology.
Over three days, the summit featured medical experts, policy advocates, technologists, and survivors, fostering deep conversations around AI in diagnostics, community-based care, and debunking cancer-related misinformation. IPOS 2023 established a multi-sectoral, people-first approach that continues to shape public health planning in the region.
A Legacy of Impact
The success of these summits inspired the formal launch of Cancer Safe Kerala on Kerala Piravi Day, November 1, 2024, at the Pangode Military Station. This collaborative initiative—spearheaded by Swasthi Foundation with support from the Indian Army, NIMS Hospital, Gokulam Medical College, and numerous state institutions—set an ambitious goal: free cancer screening for the entire population of Kerala.
Key achievements include:
- Screening of over 3 lakh individuals through community programs like Snehathalam and Jeevathalam.
- Integration of mental health support, lifestyle interventions, and digital cancer care.
- Establishment of cancer-safe centers offering online support for screening, diagnosis, and palliative care.
- Collaborations with international institutions and a strong public-private partnership model.
GPOS 2026 / Scaling the Vision Globally
Building on this strong foundation, GPOS 2026 will serve as a global knowledge hub for:
- Exchanging research and best practices in cancer prevention.
- Advocating policies that prioritize early detection and affordability.
- Harnessing technology such as AI, molecular profiling, and data analytics.
- Empowering communities to take proactive roles in their health.
- Integrating holistic practices such as Ayurveda for improved quality of life.
Set in the culturally vibrant and strategically located city of Thiruvananthapuram, GPOS 2026 is where local innovation meets global collaboration—aiming to accelerate the journey toward a world where cancer is no longer feared, but prevented, understood, and managed with compassion and science.
Vision & Mission of the Global Preventive Oncology Summit
Vision
Establish a national network of preventive radiology and oncology centres, creating nodal hubs that deliver early‑detection screening and reduce cancer risk nationwide.
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Set up Preventive Oncology Centres and Nodal Centres in India to provide accessible screening for early cancer detection.
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Offer free or subsidised screening through public‑private partnerships, insurance schemes, and affordable insurance models.
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Foster research on early detection, risk‑downgrading of non‑communicable diseases, and evidence‑based treatments—including drugs, minimally invasive surgery, nutrition, lifestyle modification, and other preventive strategies.
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Launch the concept of a comprehensive insurance scheme under Cancer Safe Kerala as a pilot project during the summit.
These goals align with the summit’s focus on preventive oncology, encouraging collaborative research, affordable screening, and a robust network for early cancer detection in India.
Event Location
Hyatt Regency
CV Raman Pillai Rd, DPI,
Thycaud,
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala 695014
contact@globalpreventiveoncosummit.com
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