National Doctors' Day: Dr SH Advani’s lifelong battle for cancer care

“When you look at me, you can only see a smiling face.”
In an era when the very mention of cancer evokes fear and despair, could a cancer doctor truly live by these words? Dr Suresh H. Advani does. His impact extends beyond the clinic, as he inspires the world with his battle for life and his empathy.

Struck by polio at the age of eight, Dr Advani has lived his life in a wheelchair. Yet, he never let his circumstances dim the smile on his face. Over the decades, through his work at several hospitals in Mumbai, he brought hope and healing to thousands of cancer patients. Widely regarded as the father of oncology in India, he pioneered hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the country, opening new frontiers in bone marrow transplants. In recognition of his contributions, he was honoured with both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.

For over 50 years, Dr Advani has been a steady force in the field of oncology, offering solace to tens of thousands and serving as a role model for generations of cancer specialists. There’s no better time to reflect on his remarkable journey than this Doctor's Day.

I met Dr Advani during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram for the Kerala Cancer Conclave. At 78, he was sharp, energetic, and deeply engaged in every conversation. After the event, he warmly introduced himself and readily agreed to a brief chat.

“I may not speak or understand Malayalam but Kerala is dear to my heart”, he said, while also mentioning that his wife's home is in Thodupuzha. “When I became a doctor, there were diseases I thought couldn’t be treated. However, the medical world has undergone dramatic changes today. I’ve witnessed numerous advancements in oncology, both significant and minor. Back then, when we spoke of cancer, there were so many queries and doubts. Now, we have better treatments, better systems. Science has advanced to the point where it can discuss genes and genetic mutations with clarity. I thank God for allowing me to witness this transformation and to keep learning along the way.”

Dr Advani was born in Karachi on August 1, 1947, just two weeks before Indian independence. With Partition, his family lost their home and homeland. Then came polio at age eight, confining him to a wheelchair for life. Yet it was during his own medical treatment that the dream of becoming a doctor first took root.

His disability meant he had to overcome immense obstacles to access education and employment. But he persevered. During his hospital days, he met nurse Geetha, who later became his life partner. The higher studies pursued abroad deepened his expertise in cancer treatment and introduced him to modern oncology practices in India.

When their daughter, who was studying medicine, died in a car accident, Dr Advani and Geetha established a hospital in her memory-- the Smita Memorial Hospital & Research Centre in Thodupuzha.

Care with a smile
Dr Advani is renowned for his unwavering positivity and frequently says that a smile can bring joy to many. That smile is evident in every photo of him. Seeing him smile, I couldn’t help but wonder how someone who has endured so much in life, who faces the painful realities of his work, and who deals daily with the distress of patients, manages to smile so beautifully.

"I believe in serving humanity with a smile. That’s why the motto of the hospital we built in our daughter’s memory is `Service with a smile,' he replied. 

And he added, “Not once in my life have I regretted becoming a doctor. I enjoy spending time with patients, talking to them, listening to their worries and answering their questions. When a patient walks into my clinic, their face is often heavy with anxiety. I speak to them with a smile, and when they leave, I want them to carry peace and hope with them. That’s what matters. People, including several of my colleagues, often ask me how I maintain this outlook. But to me, life itself is positive and there’s no room for negativity.”

He then shared a story that still brings a gleam to his eyes. "Regardless of the language we speak, I insist that any patient who walks into my room must leave with a smile. Some time ago, a father, mother and their 15-year-old son came to see me. They insisted on seeing me immediately. It was urgent, they said. I invited them in. The boy had been diagnosed with stage‑4 cancer, and chemotherapy was scheduled to begin the next day. But when I met him, he looked too healthy for such a diagnosis. I requested some time to run a few more tests. Whether we started chemo that day or two weeks later wouldn't make a huge difference.

They reluctantly agreed. A few days later, they returned, anxious and emotional. The test results were in, and the boy didn’t have cancer. It was a severe infection, not cancer. Their joy and the shine in their eyes on hearing this were indescribable. They hugged each other and even danced right there in my consultation room. I’ll never forget that moment. Every year since, they visit me to say thank you.”

While Dr Advani continues to spend most of his time with patients in Mumbai, his wife and son manage the hospital in Thodupuzha. Despite a packed schedule, he makes it a point to visit his hometown a few days each month.“I want to expand the hospital, build a dedicated cancer wing and encourage more research,” he said. In his free time, he enjoys travelling.

As I left the room, leaving Dr Advani in the queue of doctors waiting for their turn with him, one thought stayed with me: " This is what a doctor should be.”