Aditya Manna
I am Aditya Manna, an oncology social worker, patient advocate, PhD student, and master's graduate with a deep commitment to improving cancer care in rural India. With over 20 years of experience in oncology and palliative care, I currently serve as the Chemotherapy In-Charge and Patient Navigator at MAS Clinic & Hospital, Tamluk, India, and am the Founder President of Narikeldaha PRAYAS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer care, palliative care, and patient advocacy.
I also serve as an Executive Board Member of MAS Rural Initiative, where I actively work to improve access to cancer care for underserved and rural communities. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working under the guidance of Dr. Shyamal Kumar Sarkar and Dr. Aditya Narayan Sen, gaining extensive experience in cancer treatment, patient navigation, research advocacy, and supportive care.
My passion for oncology extends beyond clinical practice. I am actively involved in cancer clinical trials, survivorship care, health equity initiatives, and global cancer policy discussions. As an internationally recognized patient advocate, I collaborate with leading organizations including ASCO, ESMO, IASLC, UICC, IAHPC, APHN, AACR, and ESMO Patient Advocates Working Group, striving to improve cancer care services in resource-limited settings.
Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Sociology with a research focus on social problems related to cancer in rural India. My research explores barriers to cancer care, patient navigation, health equity, and community-based support systems. I continue to balance academic research with hands-on patient support, advocacy, and international collaboration. I was also selected as a Patient Research Advocate (PRA) in the 2024 STARS PRA Program for lung cancer, enabling me to contribute further to cancer research and patient empowerment.
Through my personal initiative, Aditya’s Cancer Care, I provide cancer counseling, treatment guidance, home-based palliative care support, patient navigation, and survivorship assistance to individuals and families across rural India. My mission is to empower patients, strengthen palliative care services, reduce disparities in cancer care, and advocate for equitable access to quality cancer treatment worldwide.