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Leading cancer researcher, 47, dies of the disease she was trying to cure
A University of Arizona cancer researcher has sadly died at the age of 47 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease she spent her career trying to cure.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology announced on Tuesday (October 13) that Rachna Shroff passed away following a battle with terminal adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that starts in the glands and lines a patient’s organs.
Her personal battle with the illness began in May when she noticed a swollen lymph node. Doctors initially suspected lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, but further testing revealed that she had terminal adenocarcinoma.
By the end of the month, the cancer had spread to other parts of her body, and tests suggested it may have started in her stomach or intestine.
Still, Shroff bravely attended a major cancer research conference just days later and continued raising awareness of recent clinical breakthroughs.
Who was Dr. Rachna Shroff?
The late researcher was a respected clinician-scientist and gastrointestinal oncologist specializing in pancreatic and biliary tract (bile duct) cancers.
At the University of Arizona, she served as the chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology, associate director of clinical investigations at the UoA Cancer Center, and a professor of medicine.
She was also named the inaugural John F. and Valli S. Duval Endowed Professor for Gastrointestinal Oncology and served as associate dean for clinical and translational research at the College of Medicine - Tucson.
Throughout her career, Shroff wrote more than 80 publications and dedicated herself to advancing cancer treatments and improving patients' lives.
She reflected on the heartbreaking reality of facing the very disease she had spent decades fighting in an interview with NBC, sharing: "I’ve spent my entire life trying to eradicate cancer, primarily pancreatic cancer but also liver cancers."
Even as her own health deteriorated, she remained committed to helping future generations of cancer researchers.
In September, she achieved "one of her final wishes," which was to launch a Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award in her name, and raised more than $1.35 million. The money will go towards trying to find a cure for the disease.
"Even in the face of her own diagnosis, Dr. Shroff spent her time endeavoring to ‘be the sunshine’ for others," ASCO said in its tribute.
Shroff's family reflects on her final months
Shroff was a mom to her 13-year-old son, Sachin, and 17-year-old daughter, Simran, whom she shared with her husband, Puneet.
During her final months, she cherished important family moments such as joining her daughter on college visits and attending her son’s baseball games.
Her children opened up about the qualities they admired most in their mom.
"Her tenacity ... all she does is she pushes through whatever, and she figures out how to do it and how to be successful personally and professionally, and I really admire that," Simran said, while Sachin added: "I would probably say just how loving she is."
Shroff and her husband were just months away from celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary when she passed.
Reflecting on the support she's received from Puneet throughout her illness, she said: "Puneet has been the reason I’ve marched forward. And his ability to understand my vantage point, and his ability... to just stand by my side."
Puneet also spoke about the emotional toll of his wife's diagnosis and how he hoped their family could find strength through the experience.
"To have no cares, so to speak, in the world, and then all of them at your feet all at once, that’s both overwhelming," he said at the time. "But it also teaches you resilience, and I hope that teaches our children resilience. I hope, for Rachna’s sake, it gives her strength, courage."
Our thoughts are with Shroff's loved ones at this time.