Dr. Abhishek Shankar is an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. He is also associated with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, where he contributes to national cancer control efforts.
A prolific author and editor, Dr. Shankar has published extensively in the field of oncology and public health. Known as an onco-environmentalist and cancer activist, he advocates for cancer prevention, early detection, and equitable access to treatment, working to raise awareness about the intersection of environment and cancer risk.
Dr. Abhishek Shankar did his MBBS from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences and later on pursued MD in Radiation Oncology from Christian Medical College in Ludhiana, Punjab.
He has also attended various fellowship programs, all over the world for Lung Cancer, Cancer prevention and control.
He completed his Master’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Health Care Administration and Management from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi (2021–2023).
He has also attended a vast range of fellowships across the world for Lung Cancer, Cancer prevention and control.
One of Shankar’s primary advocacies is increasing awareness about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. He writes monthly in “Indian Express,” where he elevates preventive health topics including vaccination.
He draws parallels with India’s success in eradicating polio and reducing tuberculosis to argue that HPV vaccination “is safe and effective” and can significantly lower rates of certain cancers in both men and women. He insists that successful public health campaigns, like polio eradication, provide useful lessons on what it takes for a vaccination effort to succeed.
Dr. Shankar stresses that science must be driven by evidence, not opinion. He points out that while people may hold philosophical beliefs about “natural immunity” or immunity boosters, only rigorous clinical trials and properly tested interventions should guide medical practice. He challenges doctors and researchers to rely on authentic sources and good study designs, especially during times when false information spreads fast.
A memorable case he shared underscores his clinical judgment. A young patient presented with a liver lesion, initially thought to be metastatic stomach cancer — a diagnosis usually associated with poor prognosis. However, Shankar’s team chose to biopsy, and the result came back negative for cancer. Nine years later, the patient is still alive. “Your decision-making is very important,” he reflects. For Dr. Shankar, these moments affirm that courage in clinical decisions paired with patient-centered care can yield extraordinary outcomes.
