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From Bathinda to Lyon: How a Punjab cracked WHO’s ‘gold standard’ review to fight cancer fake news

The Central University of Punjab's study received acceptance from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO's specialised cancer arm.

4 min readAmritsarMar 7, 2026 05:42 PM IST

The Central University of Punjab's study received acceptance from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO's specialised cancer arm.

The Central University of Punjab (CUPB) in Bathinda has secured formal acceptance of its groundbreaking research on cancer misinformation by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization’s specialised cancer arm.

The study, titled ‘Cancer Misinformation in the Digital Age: A Global Synthesis of Research Trends and Key Themes’, has been selected for presentation at the prestigious IARC@60 conference in Lyon, France, scheduled in the third week of May, positioning CUPB as a key global player in public health communication.

The study originated from the Interventions Design and Effects Lab (IDEL) in the Department of Mass Communication and Media Studies, under the School of Information and Communication Studies.

This rare honour came after the research passed IARC’s rigorous Scientific Consensus Review — a “gold standard” evaluation demanding unanimous agreement from an international panel of top oncologists, epidemiologists, and scientists on methodology, data integrity, and policy relevance on March 3.

Far tougher than standard peer review, this “zero-doubt” process validates the team’s interdisciplinary approach to tackling the cancer “infodemic.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Raghavendra P Tiwari hailed it as a ‘David vs. Goliath’ victory. “Clearing the IARC Scientific Consensus Review proves that CUPB is not just producing academic papers but is actively shaping the future of global health guidelines. We are incredibly proud of our scholars for placing Punjab on the world’s scientific map,” he stated.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Raghavendra P Tiwari, along with Dr Rubal Kanozia, HoD Media Studies and PhD scholars Naman and Ritu Arya whose research was accepted at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO (IARC)@60 Conference of WHO, Lyon, France.

Dr Rubal Kanozia, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, has led the project.

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According to Dr Kanozia, cancer misinformation refers to false or misleading claims about cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, or treatment. “It can lead patients to delay or avoid evidence-based medical care, rely on ineffective or harmful remedies, and ultimately reduce their chances of successful treatment and survival. WHO warns that health misinformation and the “infodemic” can delay people from seeking proper medical care, including cancer screening and diagnosis. When people rely on false information, they may postpone professional treatment.”

PhD scholar Naman, whose doctoral work forms the core, said the growing abundance of cancer-related misinformation on social media is increasingly delaying the entire cancer care pathway—prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. “Influencers and unverified sources often promote unproven remedies such as dietary ‘cures,’ cannabis use, pH-balancing methods, or non-sanctioned medicines, which can mislead patients and postpone critical medical decisions. These delays frequently lead to late diagnosis, higher mortality, and additional emotional and financial burdens on families and healthcare systems.”

The team includes researchers Ritu Arya, Robin Jindal, Ragendu R, and Raktima Gupta, whose collaboration drove the success.

“This is the rigorous hard work of our team comprising Naman and Ritu Arya, both of whom are doing a PhD at the Department of Mass Communication and Media Studies,” said Dr Rubal Kanozia.

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Under Professor Tiwari’s ‘Research for Resurgent Punjab’ vision, CUPB has built a high-performance research ecosystem blending mass communication and clinical public health.

With IARC’s nod, the findings now stand to influence WHO policies and global health literacy strategies. This elevates CUPB as South Asia’s hub for health communication and infodemiology, proving social sciences are vital in the fight against cancer.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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