Leading oncologist, Dr Suresh Advani‘s life is an awe-inspiring saga of struggle and subsequent triumph of human spirit over destiny By Lakshmipriya Nair
November 17, 2015; 8:45 pm. Waiting at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, I rue the need to work on a Friday night and wish myself elsewhere, enjoying the beginning of my weekend. Yet, fifteen minutes later, I met a remarkable person who has left an indelible mark on my psyche – Dr Suresh Advani, Director, Department of Medical Oncology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre. The 68-year old renowned oncologist and pioneer of bone marrow transplant in India has faced several trials by fire. But, he has emerged from them stronger and unbowed, if not unscathed.
Overcoming all odds
The journey that has made him what he is today often resembles a bumpy, roller-coaster ride filled with several ups and downs. Born on August 1, 1947 in Karachi, Sindh, mere fifteen days before India gained independence, the first upheaval in his life was caused by the Partition. His family had to leave behind their land and relocate. Eight years later, fate dealt him another unkind blow; he was struck by polio, a debilitating disease. In the 50s, polio vaccine wasn’t available in India and its treatment wasn’t all that developed. As a result, it left him wheelchair bound. Yet, the three months when he underwent frequent treatment at the hospital for his ailment also gave him an insight on a doctor’s pivotal role in the society and a respect for the medical profession. Undeterred and undaunted by his handicap, he dreamt of being a doctor himself and improving people’s life through his work.
But the higher powers were in no mood to make it easy for him. He encountered a major hurdle when after completing his intermediates with good grades from KJ Somaiya College; he decided to pursue his ambition and opted for MBBS. He recollects how Grant Medical College, one of the four major medical colleges in Mumbai at that time, denied him admission due to his handicap. A lesser person might have given up on his goal and accepted the setback as his fate, but Dr Advani was made of sterner stuff. He refused to take this rejection lying down and wrote to the Mumbai University Chancellor and the government against what he saw as injustice. Finally, a letter from the state’s health minister caused the authorities at the Grant Medical College to relent and gained him a medical seat. Thus, his perseverance and determination paid off.
Embracing oncology
Despite the initial unpleasantness, Dr Advani has very fond memories of his days as a medical student at the Grant Medical College. He remains grateful to his friends and teachers who took him to their hearts. After completing his MD in General Medicine, he took up oncology, though in those days it wasn’t a ‘popular’ choice among medical students. He began his career from Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in 1974 as an Assistant Medical Oncologist and went on to become the Professor and Chief, Department of Medical Oncology, in his thirty-year stint at the hospital.
Spearheading progress
During the early phase of his career at TMH, haemetology caught his interest and his research on leukaemia took him to places like the US, the UK and Japan in pursuit of improved methods to treat the disease. He has some prestigious fellowships to his credit such as the International Cancer Research Technology Transfer (ICRETT) and Fellowship of Yamagiwa -Yoshida Memorial International Cancer Study Grant by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). He also visited the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, Seattle, Washington, US for four weeks to gain experience on bone marrow transplantation and medical oncology.
After returning to India with his new-found knowledge, he successfully led the first bone marrow transplant in the country. Bone marrow from her brother was transplanted into a nine-year-old girl down with myeloid leukaemia. He is also the Chief Investigator for the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Project supported by the National Cancer Institute, Washington and the Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia Project supported by the Department of Science and Technology.
Witnessing a revolution
In the course of his glorious career spanning over four decades, Dr Advani has seen medical oncology transform tremendously. He informs that medical oncology as a sphere has progressed phenomenally in the last fifteen years. Recollecting how ‘knowledge was superficial and treatment drugs were few’ in those days, he informs that a person with any form of cancer did not survive beyond three years from the time of his/ her diagnosis. Dr Advani regretfully informs that the first 16 patients he treated for leukaemia did not survive.
However, today, he claims that leukaemia is immensely curable. Many of his patients, especially children, have gone on to lead fulfilling lives after being treated for leukaemia successfully. “I feel great when people approach me on the road or the airport, and says that they were my patients earlier but are leading completely healthy lives now,” says Dr Advani.
Awards & Accolades
- Padmabhushan by Government of India (2012)
- Dr BC Roy National Award by MCI (2005)
- Nazli Gad-el-Mawla Award by INCTR (2005)
- Lifetime Achievement in Oncology by Harvard Medical International (2005)
- Gifted Teacher Award by The Association of Physicians of India (2004)
- Dhanvantari Award (2002)
- Padmashri by Government of India (2002)
- Giant International Award (1998)
- Indo American Cancer Congress Inc Award of Excellence (1996)
Speaking on the advancements in oncology, he says that for several decades, the progress in the field was quite slow. One major drug discovery or intervention happened on an average in each decade, but since the 2000s, oncology research has seen considerable headway and as a result, alongwith improved treatment rates, cost of cancer care has gone down considerably. Stating an example, he points out that earlier, in the 70s, a commonly used drug to treat cancer; ‘Vincristin’ cost Rs 400. Today, it is available for just Rs 30. He believes that technology has also played a major role in bringing about progress in the field. Treatment therapies have become targeted and effective.
In his opinion, “There has been a sea change in the way oncology is practiced. I have seen a revolution, incurable diseases have become curable.”
Imparting knowledge
Today, Dr Advani involvement in cancer care is varied and wide-ranging. He is a consultant at leading hospitals like Jaslok Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital, SL Raheja Hospital and others. His current research covers biological therapeutics targeting various molecular targets on the cancer cells. In the last few years, his focus has shifted to breast cancer, another disease which is curable if diagnosed on time. He is involved in a mobile mammography project in Greater Mumbai for early diagnosis and multinational clinical trial on breast cancer. He has also played a pivotal role in establishing the medical oncology/ bone marrow transplantation unit at Jaslok Hospital.
Given his expertise and in-depth knowledge in oncology it comes as no surprise that he has authored or co-authored about 648 national and international publications. Recently, he is involved in charting the syllabus along with the teaching manual for DM Medical Oncology Course, in association with Indian Medical and Paediatric Oncology Association. Dr Advani is also teacher, a job he enjoys immensely. We learn as we teach,” he says. He is a recognised M Sc and PhD Guide in Applied Biology. He also trains young oncologists and imparts his knowledge to them. But, the most vital message he wants to pass on to the new lot of doctors is, “We are there because our patients are there. So, take time to listen to their issues, clarify things to them and give them the much needed assurance.”
Helping hands
He is also a part of an NGO called Helping Hands which offers assistance to cancer patients and seeks to help them economically and deal with their psychological needs. Thus, Dr Advani is a man who has multiple things on his plate and his handicap has never managed to be a deterrent to anything that he has wanted to achieve in his life.
Incidentally, Dr Advani too has had several helping hands, people who have stood by him through his trials and successes. They include his mother, his teachers and illustrious doctors like Dr Virkar, the erstwhile Dean of JJ Hospital, Dr Sunil Parekh, Dr RD Lele, Dr VR Joshi, Dr Feroze Udwadia, etc, and last but not the least, his wife Geeta Advani, who has ensured that her husband’s life remains as hassle free as possible.
Never-say-die spirit
Dr Advani has proved fortune does favour the brave. His indomitable spirit, zest for life, dedication for his work and compassion has made his life’s journey an inspirational one. As I leave his office at 10 pm, I see several patients awaiting to benefit from his expertise. I had reached the tail end of my day, but his would stretch well past midnight. Walking away, lines from a poem by Robert Frost, which seems to describe Dr Advani, comes to mind: The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep
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