**Executive Summary**
On March 28, 2026, the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, hosted the 2nd OTCAN REHAB 2026: 1st International Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Summit in Mumbai. The event aimed to strengthen multidisciplinary approaches and exchange knowledge on recent advances to improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors. The summit served as a critical platform for global collaboration, marking a significant milestone in advancing rehabilitation services within Asia.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Overview and Significance**
* The summit was one of the first international gatherings in Asia specifically dedicated to breast cancer rehabilitation.
* The programme was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both physical attendance at the Kharghar campus and virtual participation from international delegates.
* The event was inaugurated by Dr. Navin Khattry, Deputy Director of CRC-ACTREC, and organized by the Department of Occupational Therapy.
**Multidisciplinary Collaboration**
* The summit saw participation from 238 delegates representing India, the UAE, UK, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
* The participant base included a diverse range of professionals, such as oncologists, clinical pharmacologists, and occupational therapy faculty and students.
* Discussions focused on the role of multidisciplinary teams in enhancing functional outcomes for patients.
**Scientific Contributions and Innovations**
* National and international faculty from India, Australia, and the USA contributed insights into emerging practices and innovations in the field.
* The sessions emphasized a holistic approach to patient care, moving beyond standard treatment to comprehensive rehabilitation.
* Feedback from the programme indicated a significant step forward in the regional advancement of rehabilitation services.
**Impact Analysis**
**Healthcare Professionals (Oncologists, Occupational Therapists, and Pharmacologists)**
**Impact**
Professionals gained access to a vital platform for knowledge exchange regarding the latest advances in breast cancer rehabilitation and multidisciplinary care models.
**Action Required**
Practitioners should integrate the discussed emerging practices and holistic strategies into their clinical workflows to improve survivor functional outcomes.
**Occupational Therapy Faculty and Students**
**Impact**
Academic stakeholders were exposed to high-level scientific programmes and international expertise, enriching their understanding of specialized cancer rehabilitation.
**Action Required**
Faculty and students should utilize the insights and innovations shared during the summit to further research and educational curriculum development in the field of oncology rehabilitation.
**Breast Cancer Survivors and Patients**
**Impact**
Patients are the ultimate beneficiaries of the advanced rehabilitation services and improved multidisciplinary care standards established during the summit.
**Action Required**
While not directly mentioned as participants, the document implies patients should seek out these newly emphasized multidisciplinary rehabilitation services to enhance their quality of life post-treatment.
Key Entities Referenced
1st International Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Summit (OTCAN REHAB 2026): A pioneering multidisciplinary initiative aimed at advancing rehabilitation services, functional outcomes, and quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC): The research and treatment wing of the Tata Memorial Centre that hosted the summit at its Kharghar campus.
Tata Memorial Centre (TMC): The organizing institution and leading oncology center responsible for the multidisciplinary breast cancer rehabilitation program.
Department of Atomic Energy: The central government department under which the Tata Memorial Centre and its constituent units function.
Department of Atomic Energy
ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre hosts 1st
International Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Summit to advance multidisciplinary care
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 6:03PM by PIB Mumbai
28 March 2026, Mumbai
The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC),
Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), successfully organised the 2nd OTCAN REHAB 2026:
1st International Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Summit on 28th March 2026 at its
Kharghar campus. The summit marked a significant milestone in strengthening
multidisciplinary approaches towards comprehensive breast cancer rehabilitation.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Navin Khattry, Deputy Director, CRC-
ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre.
The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Jagmohan Lal
Meena, Organising Secretary and In-charge, Department of Occupational Therapy,
ACTREC, TMC. The gathering was further enriched by the presence of Prof. John
Boyages, Senior Oncologist and Founding Director of ALERT, Australia, who shared
his valuable insights and extended his best wishes for the success of the summit.The summit saw participation from 238 delegates across India and countries
including UAE, UK, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The programme was held in a hybrid
format, enabling participation of international delegates through virtual connectivity.
Participants included oncologists, clinical pharmacologists, occupational therapy
faculty and students, and other healthcare professionals engaged in breast cancer
rehabilitation.
The event served as a vital platform for multidisciplinary collaboration and
knowledge exchange, focusing on recent advances in breast cancer rehabilitation
and emphasizing a holistic approach to patient care. Experts deliberated on the role
of multidisciplinary teams in improving functional outcomes and quality of life
among breast cancer survivors.Eminent national and international faculty contributed to the scientific programme,
including Dr. Dileep R. Hoysal, Prof. John Boyages, Dr. Anbarasan Sekar, and Dr.
Jagmohan L. Meena, along with senior clinicians from the USA—Manisha Agarwal,
Shaloo Choudhary, and Geeta Santosh Nath. The in-house faculty from Tata
Memorial Centre included Dr. Savita Goswami, Mr. Kishor Howale, Ms. Nishu Singh
Goel, Dr. Rebeka Marri, Dr. Sarika Mahajan, Dr. Mohua Chatterjee, Ms. Nandita
Dhanaki, and Dr. Blossom Baby. The summit also featured eminent occupational
therapy faculty such as Dr. Sunita Koutarapu, Dr. Shailaja Jayavant, and Dr. Eshani
Mallick.
Being one of the first international summits of its kind in Asia dedicated to breast
cancer rehabilitation, the event provided valuable insights into emerging practices
and innovations in the field. The programme received highly positive feedback from
participants and marked a significant step forward in advancing rehabilitation
services for breast cancer patients in the region.
The Organising Secretary expressed sincere gratitude to Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director,
Tata Memorial Centre, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director, ACTREC, Dr. Navin Khattry,
Deputy Director, CRC-ACTREC, and Dr. Prashant Bhat, Medical Superintendent,
ACTREC, for their constant support and encouragement in making the event a
success.
***
Harshal Akude/Parshuram Kor
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