Honorary Member

Awardee Interview

 

 

Dr Umesh Mahantshetty - Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Tata Memorial Centre, Visakhapatnam, India

 

 

 

 

 

What have been the highlights of your career?

The highlights of my career have been moments where I decided to do (i) Post-graduation in Radiation Oncology (ii) With keen interest in brachytherapy for Head & Neck and GYN cancers. As a lead in GYN Radiation Oncology group at Tata Memorial Hospital till 2020, my involvement in numerous projects and research protocols which have impacted the practice across both the developing and developed world. International fellowship programs at MDACC Houston, and Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam followed by successful collaboration with Medical University Vienna, UCSD, San Diego and many other renowned Institutions helped me to shape my professional career. Subsequently active involvement in ESTRO activities including GYN GEC-ESTRO Research Network, EMBRACE Research Group and co-ordination with several Societies (IBS, ABS and GEC-ESTRO) has made me a ‘Key Opinion Leader’ globally in the field of GYN Oncology including high precision radiation techniques and Image Based Brachytherapy. I am actively involved as Expert for establishing guidelines at national (ICMR Guidelines for Cervical Cancer) and international (ESGO / ESTRO guidelines for vulvar and cervical cancer management) bodies, a consultant to the recent ICRU 89 Report on GYN Brachytherapy and Senior Editor of various prestigious International and National Journals. 

What is your next challenge?

My next challenge in research is to continue advocating for more inclusive and accessible healthcare systems, especially in underserved regions." Towards this an Implementation Research venture in the form of International Multicentric Studies for cervical Cancer Brachytherapy- has been planned and ready to roll out in 2025.

What do you think are the next challenges in your field?

One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that the benefits of advances in healthcare technology, skilled manpower & expertise related to cervical cancer radiotherapy including state-of-the-art brachytherapy, reach all populations including underserved regions.

What does the award mean to you?

The ESTRO Honorary Membership award is an incredible honour and recognition of all my work and scientific contributions I’ve put into my career. It only speaks and validates - my valuable contributions into improving in the field of Radiation Oncology & GYN Cancers. However, it also reminds me that there’s still lot of work to be done, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence.

What has been your involvement within ESTRO?

I’ve been actively involved with ESTRO for several years, attending conferences and participating in workshops aimed at advancing radiation oncology practices. As a Teaching Faculty for ESTRO School, actively involved in ESTRO GYN Teaching Courses since 2011 and subsequently as Course Director for AROI - ESTRO GYN Teaching Courses in India (AROI-ESTRO: 2017-2023). I've also been an active member of working groups focused on (i) Research Activities including GEC-ESTRO Research Network, EMBRACE Research group, etc. (ii) developing guidelines – ESGO-ESTRO ESP for cervical & vuval cancers since 2016 – 2025.

To whom would you like to dedicate your award?

I would dedicate this award to my mentors & colleagues at Tata Memorial Centre, collaborators especially from ESTRO, and more importantly patients who have been part of this journey with me. Their support, guidance, and trust have been invaluable. I would also like to dedicate it to my family - wife and daughters, who has always been with me in all my endeavours, and to the many other colleagues / unsung heroes who have been helping me behind the scenes.