Dr. Digpal Dharkar (Surgical Oncologist, ICF)
Dr. Digpal Dharkar — A Lifelong Mission for Cancer Awareness & Equitable Care
Dr. Digpal Dharkar stands among India’s most respected Surgical Oncologists and public-health advocates. With over three decades of service, he has championed affordable, world-class cancer care, awareness, and research across Central India and globally.
Education & Professional Formation
Dr. Dharkar is known for bringing advanced, international surgical techniques to the grassroots level in India:
Core Training: He completed his postgraduate training in Surgical Oncology from the prestigious Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Global Exposure: He pursued advanced fellowships at several globally acclaimed cancer centres, including Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York) and institutions in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Expertise: His advanced training covers head-and-neck oncology, micro-vascular reconstruction, and organ-preserving surgical techniques.
Founder of Indore Cancer Foundation (ICF) & IIHNO
Driven by the vision to democratize cancer care, Dr. Dharkar founded pivotal institutions:
Indore Cancer Foundation (ICF): Established in the early 1990s as a charitable trust, it provides comprehensive treatment, preventive screening, palliative support, and education to under-served communities.
Indian Institute of Head & Neck Oncology (IIHNO): A specialized hospital under the ICF umbrella dedicated to complex head-and-neck cancers, providing compassionate, low-cost treatment.
Impact: He has performed over 15,000 cancer surgeries, with approximately 35% provided free of cost.
Public Awareness & Myth-Busting
Dr. Dharkar’s mission extends beyond surgery, focusing on eliminating the fear and ignorance surrounding cancer in society:
The Problem of Late Diagnosis: He highlights that nearly 70% of cancers in India are diagnosed at advanced stages primarily due to lack of awareness, social stigma, and the fear of associating cancer with death.
The Real Curse: He emphasizes that Ignorance is the true curse, not cancer itself.
Myth Destruction (Video Insights):
“Cancer is contagious”: This is a false and harmful myth.
Oral Cancer: Not just tobacco users are at risk. In countries like America, 90% of mouth and throat cancers are linked to HPV and sexually transmitted causes.
Warning Signs: Chronic irritation, such as a sharp tooth repeatedly scratching the cheek, can eventually lead to cancer and must be checked.
Pain is NOT a Factor: Many women often report a lump, but dismiss it because “it doesn’t hurt” but cancerous growths are often painless initially.
Legacy & Continuing Mission
The ICF is a model for community-based oncology care. Dr. Dharkar continues to stress that Awareness is the first step of survival and that the quality of work must be impeccable—advising surgeons to treat every patient as if they were operating on themselves.
