The Untold Story of Kamal Ranadive: Combating Cancer via Education & Research

Who is Kamal Ranadive?  When Kamal Ranadive was born in 1917, Fergusson College did not typically accept female students studying the sciences in Pune, India. Fortunately for Ranadive, her father, a biology department instructor, supported her plan to attend college. She then went on to pursue a Ph.D. in cytology at Bombay University after graduating from Fergusson College in 1934 with an undergraduate degree.  But even though her parents had advised her to pursue a career in medicine, she had never lost interest in biology. Kamal Ranadive is the first Indian woman scientist. She was among the first to discover the link between hormones and malignant cells as well as viral infections that cause cancer in humans. She entered scientific research as a result, and she rose to fame for finding several viruses that cause tumors. She produced one of the first discoveries about the significant hereditary component of breast cancer. She also helped to create the leprosy vaccine by studying Mycobacterium leprae, the microbe that causes the disease.She significantly advanced our knowledge of the pathogenesis of cancer in animal models.  Understanding the Importance of addressing & Channelizing more resources into Research Work: Cancer Treatment  Dr. Kamal Ranadive had a vision that went beyond the hospital walls. In 1992, she established the Ranadive Institute for Cancer Research (RICR) with the goal of improving research, treatment, and patient care for cancer. This project was born out of the pressing need for a comprehensive approach to cancer care that combines modern technology with patient-centered, compassionate ideals. Dr. Ranadive had a strong sense of purpose when she started her medical career. Since oncology was the sector that needed more highly trained professionals than any other, she decided to concentrate on it especially. Even though it was emotionally and visually overwhelming for her to be undergoing cancer treatment for the first time, nothing could stop her. Dr. Ranadive focused on learning the nuances of cancer treatments as a novice. Her studies in the genetics and biology of cancer produced a large number of publications that were published, earning her the admiration of her colleagues. She has, in fact, devoted her professional life to developing novel approaches to aiding cancer sufferers. RICR developed into a center for scientific innovation and excellence. It helped cancer patients and their families in addition to drawing in eminent specialists. Under Dr. Ranadive's direction, the institution has been able to introduce several novel developments in the detection and management of cancer. Her unwavering focus led to the development of state-of-the-art therapies that have improved wherein greatly impacting the lives of cancer sufferers. Accelerating Womenfolk In Science & Research Work:  She became the ultimate force revolutionizing medicine sector by practice. In the 1970s, Kamal began a conversation with other scientists about their social responsibility to the underprivileged female population. These women faced obstacles in their pursuit of scientific careers due to patriarchal customs that forced them to stop working and become "housewives." They concluded that unless they organized a network of women scientists with identical objectives, change would not be feasible. Thus, under the direction of Dr. Ranadive, twelve founding members from a variety of scientific institutes and a wide range of scientific specialties united to create the Indian Women Scientists Association (IWSA) in 1972. "It’s possible not just to survive, but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again." — Erika Evans, leukemia survivor