Dr Jyoti Wadhwa: MD (Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology), MAMS (Medical Oncology), FRCP (Edinburgh), Advanced Certification in Molecular Oncology (Sydney Kimmel Cancer Center, USA), Commonwealth Scholar (Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK)
Ex-Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology, A.I.I.M.S. New Delhi Ex-Senior Director of Medical Oncology, Medanta The Medicity
Ex-Deputy Secretary, National Academy of Medical Sciences (India)
Vice-Chairperson & HOD Medical Oncology & Hematology, Paras Health, Gurugram
Dr. Wadhwa, your remarkable accomplishments, including your degrees and awards, showcase your expertise and leadership in medical oncology. Could you provide insights into your journey during these significant milestones and how they have impacted your professional journey and the way you approach your work?
As a child, I dreamt of becoming a good doctor. This dream came true when I did my MBBS from the Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi and went on to secure admission into MD (Medicine) program at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. My journey in Oncology started when I was doing my MD Medicine from AIIMS, New Delhi. This was followed by a 3-year post-doctoral DM programme, at the same premier medical institution. It was time when cancer had started to become a public health problem in India as well and we could predict that it was going to be a big challenge in the coming years in terms of number of cases, infrastructure, and trained cancer specialists.
I then went to UK as a Commonwealth scholar, where I was fortunate to train in Stem Cell Transplants, at the Hammersmith Hospital, under world renowned Prof. John Goldman. That was in 2000 when the trial of targeted therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia was ongoing, which went on to become a game-changer. Ever since then there have been numerous advances in cancer treatment including targeted therapies, monoclonal antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, immunotherapy, etc.It is gratifying to see treatments evolve from a few chemotherapy drugs to the current era of precision oncology and cancer patients live much longer and better now with advancements in diagnostics and treatments.
What aspects of your role do you find most fulfilling, and what motivates you to continue advancing in your career?
Care of cancer patients revolves around compassion, care and competence. The ability to offer hope and treatment to a patient suffering from cancer is the most satisfying thing unique to my profession. After having witnessed tremendous advances in cancer treatments over past three decades, I am optimistic that more and more cancer patients will be able to get their disease detected early and also get the right treatment on time. There is a huge need for cancer specialists in India. The challenges and scope of my work keep me motivated to upgrade my knowledge and skills periodically to keep pace with the advancements happening in the oncology space.
As a leader in the field of medical oncology, what do you envision for the future of cancer care, particularly in terms of advancements in treatment modalities and improvements in patient outcomes?
I feel that besides cancer treatment, the focus should also be on early detection of cancer and its prevention. We need to emphasize on the importance of healthy lifestyle for cancer prevention and risk reduction. Awareness among public needs to be raised regarding the importance of undergoing cancer screening to detect it in early stages when it is curable. The 3 major challenges for cancer care in India are the lack of awareness, lack of access to good medical facility and affordability. All of these must be addressed simultaneously to make an impact, both in urban and rural areas. There is a need for not only Public-Private partnership, but also Private-Private partnership to meet the increasing demands of accessible & affordable healthcare.
How does precision medicine revolutionise the approach to diagnosing and treating cancer compared to traditional methods?
I have witnessed cancer treatment evolve from use of some endocrine medicines and chemotherapeutics to Precision Oncology now. We have realised that “One size does not fit all!” We have been able to dissect out various cancers at molecular level, with identification of certain targetable driver mutations. Such tumors respond well to respective targeted therapies. Certain biomarker-based treatments have also evolved. A combination and sequence of various medical treatments based on the exact molecular subtype enables precision medicine and has resulted in improved outcomes for cancer patients. Liquid biopsies are complementing tissue biopsies in terms of information regarding genetic alterations and hence treatment decision making.
Could you share any success stories or notable cases where precision medicine has made a significant difference in the outcome for patients under your care?
There are numerous such success stories. There are many patients of lung cancer who upon identification of a driver mutation based on comprehensive genomic profiling have been treated with just one pill a day and have gone on to live a good quality of life for many years. Similarly, patients with advanced colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, etc. have received precise treatment as per their tumor subtype and lived a meaningful life despite having been diagnosed with last stage of cancer.
Lastly, what advice do you offer to aspiring oncologists, and how do you see mentorship shaping the future of cancer care?
I would strongly recommend aspiring oncologists to take up this subject for the challenges it offers you, from diagnosis to precise treatment. Acquire the knowledge and skills that make you become a good clinician. Be compassionate, caring and kind, for cancer patients need a lot of hand holding at various stages of their journey. Look after your own health too, seek collaboration and work as a team.
