In Memoriam: Dr. Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan (1952-2025)
Dr. Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan, a pioneering leader in cancer screening and prevention, passed away on August 3 2025, leaving a legacy of impactful research that transformed cancer control in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
From Indian Oncology to Global Leadership
Dr. Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan began his career as a radiation oncologist in India before joining the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon in 1993, where he worked until October 2017. He received an M.D. in radiation oncology and undertook postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Cambridge.
Building Evidence for Cancer Screening Worldwide
As Chief of the Cancer Screening Group and Head of the Early Detection & Prevention Section at IARC, Dr. Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan spearheaded major international studies on cervical, breast, colorectal, and oral cancer screening. He emphasized resource-appropriate, pragmatic approaches tailored to diverse healthcare settings in LMICs. His manuals on early detection of cervical cancer have been translated into multiple languages including Chinese, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish enabling global reach.
Scientific Output & Mentorship
Over a career spanning decades, Dr. Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan authored 200–260+ peer-reviewed articles, playing a pivotal role in shaping evidence-based cancer control policies worldwide. He taught and trained healthcare professionals from more than 40 countries on screening techniques, cancer epidemiology, and program implementation.
Advocacy & Policy Impact
Dr. Sankaranarayanan worked closely with national governments in Tamil Nadu, Kerala (India), and health authorities across Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, advising on designing accessible and effective screening programs. After leaving IARC in 2017, he continued as a Senior Visiting Scientist at WHO‑IARC in Lyon, France.
Championing HPV Vaccination & Screening
He played an instrumental role in HPV vaccination trials and cervical screening models in India. Notably, the IARC India HPV Vaccine project celebrating its 15th anniversary in October 2024 continues to follow over 16,000 participants to assess long-term vaccine efficacy; Dr Sankaranarayanan was central to highlighting this cohort’s value to global cervical cancer prevention strategies.
A Mentor, a Leader, a Visionary
His collaborative spirit and dedication to health equity made him not just a world-class researcher but also a mentor to generations of public health professionals. His influence spanned clinical science, epidemiology, technical training, and health policy.
Legacy: A World Changed by Prevention
Dr. Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan’s life was devoted to bridging the gap between scientific evidence and public health action—particularly in settings where cancer survival depended on early detection. His work lives on through national cancer programs, capacity-building initiatives, and the millions of lives reshaped by his research.
Related Links
- Dr Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan – IARC
- Dr R. Sankaranarayanan – Karkinos Healthcare (Director, Preventive Oncology)
- IARC India HPV Vaccine project update 2024
Stay tuned for more global oncology updates by OncoDaily.
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD
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