Welcome to My Website

Your main content goes here...

Activities

  • Screening Clinic
  • Screening camps
  • Research
  • Workshops
  • Awareness Sessions
  • Capacity Building

Highlights of work undertaken

  • RCT establishing evidence for Clinical Breast Examination as an effective low-cost method for breast cancer screening in LMICs.
  • One of the largest global occupational NCD and cancer screening cohorts among police, benefiting 60,000+ police personnel.
  • Multicentric RCT evaluating HPV self-sampling uptake using family-centric health education across India.
  • Implementation model- Early detection of oral cancer with tobacco/alcohol risk-linked cessation support for 25,000 high-risk adults in Mumbai.
  • Workplace based model- integrating tobacco cessation and cancer screening across high-risk occupational groups.
  • Public-health capacity building programmes for strengthening cancer screening workforce across Indian states using task-shared implementation models.
  • Standardised training modules and educational resources supporting quality-assured cancer awareness and early-detection services by frontline workers.
  • Establishing the Acceptability and validity of HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among women living in different ecological settings in India

Events & Announcements

  • Workshop on Cervical Cancer Screening, Colposcopy, and Pre-Cancer Management (January 2026)
  • Workshop on Implementation Science and Behavioural Research (June 2026)

About Us

About

The Division of Implementation Science and Behavioural Research has been functional since August 2025. Recognizing the significant gap between evidence and practice across the country, the division was established to address this critical challenge. Although substantial evidence exists on key aspects of cancer prevention - such as screening, awareness generation, capacity building, and tobacco cessation - these interventions have not been optimally utilized in practice.

Several national health initiatives and programmes, including the NP-NCD, provide robust support for these strategies. However, their uptake and effective implementation remains limited due to multiple context-specific barriers. It is important to identify the barriers that limit the use of existing cancer prevention strategies and address them through focused efforts of the Division. By applying implementation science and behavioural research, these strategies can be strengthened, leading to more effective delivery and improved health outcomes.

Vision

To improve public health outcomes through implementation science and behavioral research by implementing contextually appropriate cancer prevention, screening and early detection strategies and interventions that are feasible, acceptable, and sustainable.

Mission

To work in collaboration with health systems and communities to address barriers in cancer prevention, screening, and early detection and develop interventions that are feasible, effective and acceptable. It will focus on sustainability of these interventions and help in attaining equitable cancer care.

Aim

To understand and improve the adoption, integration, and sustainment of evidence-based interventions and practices within real-world settings.

Objectives
  • To generate evidence on effective implementation of cancer prevention and screening interventions
  • To apply behavioral science to understand and influence cancer-related health behaviors
  • To design and test contextually appropriate, person-centered interventions
  • To promote equity in cancer prevention and early detection through specifically designed evidence based multi centric programmes.
  • To inform health policy and scale-up strategies through implementation frameworks
  • To build institutional and community capacity for implementation and behavioral research
  • To incorporate newer technologies and bring about innovations in cancer care

Research

Ongoing Research


  1. Women Empowerment-Cancer Awareness Nexus (WE-CAN): An Implementation Research Study of Cervical Cancer Prevention through HPV Self-Sampling and Education in India
  2. Collaborating with Local Public Health Services in Mumbai for Formulating a Sustainable Model for Implementation of NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases)
  3. Creating a Replicable Model of Oral Cancer Screening Programme by Implementing it among High-Risk Population Residing in Low Socio-Economic Settings in Mumbai, Maharashtra
  4. An Innovative Decentralized Approach for Cervical Cancer Prevention: p16 Lateral flow Device Development as Point of Care Test.

Research Projects in Progress


  1. Assessing the General and Oncology Specific Healthcare Needs of the LGBTQIA+ (Sexual Minorities) Community: A Qualitative Approach
  2. Evaluation and Validation of resource materials for cancer awareness

Research Projects Completed


Service Programs

Creating Awareness and Conducting Screening for Common Cancers among Residents of various Areas in Navi Mumbai- An Organized Service Programme

Creating Awareness of Common Cancers and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Among Women Residing in Low Socio-Economic Areas in Various BMC Wards of Mumbai – A Collaborative Effort by Department of Preventive Oncology and Women Cancer Initiative (WCI)

Cancer Awareness Drive in Salons, Beauty Parlours, Beauty Associations and Beauty Academies in Mumbai

Creating Awareness and Conducting Screening for Common Cancers among Residents of various Areas in Navi Mumbai

Creating Awareness of Common Cancers and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Among Women Residing in Low Socio-Economic Areas in Various BMC Wards of Mumbai – A Collaborative Effort by Department of Preventive Oncology and Women Cancer Initiative (WCI)

Cancer Awareness Drive in Salons, Beauty Parlours, Beauty Associations and Beauty Academies in Mumbai

View More

Workshops and Training

    Organised Upcoming Capacity Building
  • Panel Discussion to Create Awareness about Different Aspects of Cancer Prevention and Treatment along with Discussion on Oncology Specific Concerns of Patients and Care Givers (March 4, 2025)
    Regional Consultation for Key Stakeholders on the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) and Development of a Roadmap for Effective Implementation (March 18, 2025)
    World No Tobacco Day 2025: Launch of Project Report- Collaborative Action for Control of Cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases among Navi Mumbai Police (May 29, 2025)
    Workshop on Cancer Epidemiology and Public Health (August 12-13, 2025)
    Navigating Wellness: Volunteer – Based Cancer Awareness Training Workshop (October 11-12, 2025), Pune
  • Workshop on Cervical Cancer Screening, Colposcopy, and Pre-Cancer Management (January 2026)

    Comming soon...

    Workshop on Implementation Science and Behavioural Research (June 2026)

    Comming soon...

  • CME for Medical Officers from State Health Services, Maharashtra (July 23, 2025)

    Comming soon..

    Online CME for Medical Officers and Nursing staff from State Health Services, Gujarat (Ongoing)

    Comming soon..

    Online CME for Medical Officers and Nursing staff from State Health Services, Bihar (Ongoing)

    Comming soon..

View More

Publications

    Articles Booklets Reports/Press Notes
  • Association of dysbiotic vaginal flora with oncogenic Human Papilloma virus infections, Bacterial Vaginosis and Pap smear abnormalities – Indian context

    PMID:

    Title: Association of dysbiotic vaginal flora with oncogenic Human Papilloma virus infections, Bacterial Vaginosis and Pap smear abnormalities – Indian context

    Authors: Anand K, Pimple S, Mishra G, Biswas S

    Citation: Indian J Gynecol Oncolog 23, 95 (2025).

    First Authors: Anand K

    Publication Year: 2025

    DOI: 10.1007/s40944-025-01011-2

    Url: View Link

    Breast Cancer Screening Using Clinical Breast Examination: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for South Africa

    PMID:

    Title: Breast Cancer Screening Using Clinical Breast Examination: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for South Africa

    Authors: Masuku SD, Mandrik O, Mdege ND, Mishra GA, Muwonge R, Meyer-Rath G, Lince-Deroche N, Brennan A

    Citation: Value in Health Regional Issues 2025,49.

    First Authors: Masuku SD

    Publication Year: 2025

    DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2025.101127

    Url: View Link

    Tobacco use among Taxi Drivers in Mumbai, India: Prevalence and Predictors.

    PMID:

    Title: Tobacco use among Taxi Drivers in Mumbai, India: Prevalence and Predictors.

    Authors: Gupta SD, Mishra GA*, Pimple SA, Kulkarni VY, Patil AS, Shaikh Heena Kauser, Mujmudar P

    Citation: Indian Journal of Cancer 2025 (accepted)

    First Authors: Gupta SD

    Publication Year: 2025

    DOI:

    Url: View Link

    Tobacco abuse among public transport bus employees in Mumbai, India -Randomised control trial.

    PMID:

    Title: Tobacco abuse among public transport bus employees in Mumbai, India -Randomised control trial.

    Authors: Kulkarni VY, Mishra GA, Pimple SA, Singal Anilkumar, Patil AS, Mujmudar P, Shaikh Heena Kauser.

    Citation: Indian Journal of Cancer 2025 (accepted)

    First Authors: Kulkarni VY

    Publication Year: 2025

    DOI:

    Url: View Link

    Acceptability and validity of HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among women living in different ecological settings in India.

    PMID: 39412108

    Title: Acceptability and validity of HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among women living in different ecological settings in India.

    Authors: Mishra GA, Pimple SA, Anand KV, Kulkarni VY, Patil AS, Biswas SK

    Citation: Int J Cancer. 2025;156,6:1142-1153

    First Authors: Mishra GA

    Publication Year: 2025

    DOI:

    Url: View Link

    Review of National Cancer Control Plans in ANCCA Countries: Advancing a Pan-Asian Cancer Initiative. Accepted in Lancet Global Health 2025.

    PMID:

    Title: Review of National Cancer Control Plans in ANCCA Countries: Advancing a Pan-Asian Cancer Initiative. Accepted in Lancet Global Health 2025.

    Authors: Gatellier L, Cairo C Jr., Ong SK, Haruyama R, Shankar A, Hussain QM, Dorji N, Tshering K, Sukumaran B, Thol D, Zhang Y, Mishra GA, Pramesh CS, Suzanna E, Nindito DRSW, Biglari M, Abe SK, Parvin R, Kim J, Kim B, Yim SB, Gunathilake M, Vongdala C, Yusof SN, Tsegmed U, Nansalmaa E, Kaung KK, Myint YY, Pradhananga KK, Yusuf A, Phua GLG, Samaraweera S, Perera S, Sangrajrang S, Nguyen GH, Huong, TTT, Hwang WYK, Matsuda T

    Citation:

    First Authors: Gatellier L

    Publication Year: 2025

    DOI:

    Url: View Link

    Tobacco abuse among public transport bus employees in Mumbai, India -Randomised control trial.

    PMID:

    Title: Tobacco abuse among public transport bus employees in Mumbai, India -Randomised control trial.

    Authors: Kulkarni VY, Mishra GA, Pimple SA, Singal Anilkumar, Patil AS, Mujmudar P, Shaikh Heena Kauser

    Citation: Indian Journal of Cancer 2024 (accepted)

    First Authors: Kulkarni VY

    Publication Year: 2024

    DOI:

    Url: View Link

    Tobacco use among Taxi Drivers in Mumbai, India: Prevalence and Predictors.

    PMID:

    Title: Tobacco use among Taxi Drivers in Mumbai, India: Prevalence and Predictors.

    Authors: Gupta SD, Mishra GA, Pimple SA, Kulkarni VY, Patil AS, Shaikh Heena Kauser, Mujmudar P.

    Citation: Indian Journal of Cancer 2024 (accepted)

    First Authors: Gupta SD

    Publication Year: 2024

    DOI:

    Url: View Link

  • Atlas of Oral Precancerous Lesions and Oral Cavity Cancers

    comming soon...

    Demonstration Model - Oral Cancer Screening Programme for High-Risk Population Residing in Low Socio-Economic Settings in Mumbai

    comming soon...

    Booklet on Awareness Programme Implemented among Beauty Parlours, Salons and Training Centers of Mumbai

    comming soon...

    Booklet on Awareness and Screening Programme Conducted for Navi Mumbai Police Personnel

    comming soon...

    Collaborative Action for Control of Cancer and Other Non-Communicable Disease among Railway Police: Report 2024. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India (2025).

    comming soon...

    Collaborative Action for Control of Cancer and Other Non-Communicable Disease among Maharashtra Security Force: Report 2024.

    comming soon...

  • Comming soon...

    Comming soon..

View More

Staff

Deputy Director, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology, ACTREC
Dr. Gauravi Mishra
Dr. Gauravi Mishra

Professor and Physician

Division of Implementation Science and Behavioural Research (DISBR)


Dr. Gitanjali Amin
Dr. Gitanjali Amin

Medical Officer & Consultant Gynaecologist

Dr. Vasundhara Kulkarni
Dr. Vasundhara Kulkarni

Scientific Officer

Dr. Harimadhav Viswanathan
Dr. Harimadhav Viswanathan

Senior Resident III


Dr. Athulya Balagopal
Dr. Athulya Balagopal

HBNI Fellow

Dr. Ashwin Sathyan
Dr. Ashwin Sathyan

Senior Resident

Dr. Vedavati Bandyopadhaya
Dr. Vedavati Bandyopadhaya

Senior Resident

Academics

Two-Year Fellowship in Preventive Oncology
  • Intake: One candidate per year
  • Qualification: MD Community Medicine / PSM
One-Year Fellowship in Cancer Epidemiology & Public Health
  • Intake: One candidate per year
  • Qualification: MD Community Medicine / PSM
Senior Residency
  • Duration: One year
  • Intake: Three candidates per year
  • Qualification: MD Community Medicine / PSM

Get in Touch

Contact Form

Copyright © 2025 Division of Implementation Science and Behavioural Research. All Rights Reserved