Dr. Sivacharan PV
“Building trust is critical. In cancer treatment, trust is essential for patients to feel confident in their care and adhere to treatment plans. Cancer patients often experience significant emotional and physical challenges; trust in their healthcare providers can help alleviate some of this burden.”
The Leader at the Helm
Dr. Sivacharan PV, founder and director of Yogakshema Cancer Care & head of the Department of Oncology and senior consultant medical oncologist, has a clinical career spanning over two decades. Despite numerous ups and downs, it has nevertheless been a great boost to his learning curve. He is currently specialized in advanced cancer therapies in solid tumors with special interests in head and neck, breast, lung, and genitourinary cancers.
His interest in oncology was kindled as early as in his school days, looking at his grandmother, who was suffering from metastatic carcinoma of the cervix. There was limited scope for early diagnosis and treatment those days, and the patients’ awareness regarding cancers was low. All these were a few factors that made him think, “If I could do something fruitful in the field of oncology, be it awareness and/or management.” Further, in the days of medical education, he had the luck and opportunity to be trained/mentored, and guided by several luminaries in medical and clinical oncology, which paved the way, nay, set his mind firm to choose his career in medical oncology.
His Inspiration to Focus on Advanced Cancer Therapies
As mentioned earlier, Dr. Sivacharan PV was trained by doyens in the field of medical oncology, and he had the opportunity to be a part of their cutting-edge thinking and approach in oncotherapeutics. With the advent of newer diagnostic techniques in oncology like PETCT, NGS, metabolomics, proteomics, etc., and new oncotherapies like targeted therapies, immunotherapies, etc., there was an extensive scope to research into the same and use the appropriate modality/modalities and match them with the best possible treatment regimens, which finally resulted in a tailor-made protocol befitting that particular cancer patient.
Dr. Sivacharan says, “Thus, over a period of time, the treatment approach has become more and more personalized with respect to the patient, because of which the disease control rates and overall survival rates have improved to a good extent in many of the malignancies”.
Developing Trust in Doctor-Patient Relationships, Especially in High-Stakes Cancer Treatments
Dr. Sivacharan PV shares, “Trust in doctor-patient relationships is crucial, especially in high-stakes cancer treatments. Trust is built when patients feel heard, respected, and understood by their healthcare providers. Patients trust doctors who communicate clearly, honestly, and empathetically about their diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. In addition to these, patients trust doctors who, acknowledge the emotional and psychological impact of cancer on their lives.”
Aligned With The New Treatment Innovations
To stay at the forefront of global research and integrate it with the newer treatment innovations, Dr. Sivacharan PV abides by
- Keeping updated about the latest breakthroughs and advancements from renowned institutions.
- Participating in and attending conferences and workshops focused on cancer research and treatment to network with experts and learn about cutting-edge therapies.
- Leveraging genetic profiling and molecular testing to tailor treatment plans to individual patients’ needs.
- Inculcating therapies like checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and cancer vaccines, which harness the immune system to fight cancer.
- Utilizing drugs that target specific molecular abnormalities driving cancer growth, while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
- Combining different treatment approaches, such as targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and chemotherapy, to overcome cancer’s defenses.
- Engaging with international research institutions, participating in clinical trials, and sharing knowledge with colleagues to advance cancer care.
Approach to Handling Complex Cancer Cases
Every day of Dr. Sivacharan PV’s clinical practice is a breakthrough moment for him, which reaffirms his commitment to cancer care.
To provide multidisciplinary care to patients, he collaborates with his experience-based team, or multidisciplinary tumor board (MDTB), of surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, onco-radiologists, onco-pathologists, molecular oncologists, clinical geneticists and supportive care specialists.
They conduct thorough clinical assessments of the patient’s physical, emotional, and social needs and afterwards plan the entire course of treatment, taking into account their cancer type, stage, and overall health. By adopting a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Sivacharan PV and his team balance treatment efficacy with patients’ quality of life, improving outcomes and enhancing the overall care experience.
Concluding Words
As we reached towards the finishing minutes of the interview, Dr. Sivacharan PV said, “Being featured in this edition is truly an honor. It’s a proud moment not just for me, but for every oncologist striving to break barriers and make a mark in their domain.
It also serves as an inspiration to continue empowering other oncology colleagues proving that with determination and vision, we can redefine therapeutic outcomes in medical oncology in terms of patient care and clinical outcomes like disease free progression survival and overall survival rates. I am grateful for this platform and excited to share my journey, hoping to encourage more oncologists to embrace leadership and entrepreneurship,”
