Science Meets Empathy: Supporting Cancer Patients Beyond Treatment | Dr. Amit Sharma
🎙️ Mentor Konnect | BioPatrika Mentorship Session
In this deeply insightful and inspiring Mentor Konnect session, Dr. Amit Sharma, Founder of Dr.Achha, shares his extraordinary journey from being a cancer researcher and Cell & Gene Therapy scientist to becoming a Cancer Health Advisor, Psychosocial Oncologist, and Counselling Psychologist.
After completing his PhD and postdoctoral research at Hannover Medical School, Germany, Dr. Sharma worked on drug screening, CRISPR engineering, nanoparticle-mediated therapies, and Cell & Gene Therapy approaches for leukemia. However, interactions with cancer patients and caregivers led him to a powerful realization: patients need more than medical treatment—they need guidance, clarity, emotional support, and hope.
This realization inspired him to create Dr.Achha, a platform dedicated to helping patients and caregivers navigate the cancer journey with scientific awareness, emotional resilience, lifestyle guidance, and mental health support.
Website: https://www.acancerhealthadvisor.com/
🔬 Key Topics Discussed
✅ Journey from cancer research to patient-centered care
✅ Why many cancer patients feel confused, anxious, and unheard
✅ The role of psychology and emotional resilience in cancer care
✅ How lifestyle, nutrition, and mental wellbeing influence recovery
✅ Misinformation about cancer on social media and how to navigate it
✅ Why a holistic approach is essential for modern cancer care
✅ Mental health challenges among young adults
✅ Balancing science, empathy, and patient empowerment
💡 Memorable Takeaway
“Science can treat disease. But empathy, guidance, and emotional support help people survive the journey with hope, dignity, and happiness.”
The following Q&A has been adapted from a Mentor Konnect session hosted by BioPatrika and moderated by Dr. Narendra Chirmule.
Q: Tell us about your journey from cancer research to becoming a Cancer Health Advisor.
Dr. Amit Sharma:
My journey started with a strong interest in stem cells. After completing my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in India, I worked as a Junior Research Fellow at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. Interestingly, I never planned to work on cancer. However, during my time at IISc, I joined Prof. Annapurni Rangarajan‘s lab, which focused on cancer stem cells, and that experience changed my perspective completely.
I later moved to Germany for my PhD at Hannover Medical School, where I worked on acute myeloid leukemia (AML), focusing on drug screening and immune-based therapeutic approaches. During my postdoctoral research, I worked on CRISPR engineering and nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems for cancer therapies.
After several years in research, I realized I wanted more direct interaction with patients. That realization eventually led to the creation of Dr.Achha, a platform dedicated to supporting cancer patients and caregivers through scientific guidance, emotional support, and practical counseling.
Q: What inspired you to move from the laboratory to patient-focused work?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
During a visit to India in 2019, I met several cancer patients who had many unanswered questions. They wanted to know why cancer had happened to them, whether it was genetic, whether it could affect their children, and what lifestyle changes they could make.
As scientists, we often spend years in laboratories without interacting directly with the people who are ultimately affected by our work. I realized there was a significant gap between scientific knowledge and patient understanding. At the same time, oncologists often have very limited time to spend with each patient. I felt there was a need for someone who could bridge that gap.
Q: What exactly does a Cancer Health Advisor do?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
I describe myself as a Cancer Health Advisor rather than a patient advocate. My role is to help patients and their families understand their diagnosis, treatment options, lifestyle considerations, genetic risks, and emotional challenges.
I do not replace oncologists, nor do I prescribe treatments. Instead, I provide scientific clarity, answer questions, help patients navigate information, and support them emotionally throughout their journey.
Q: How did Dr.Achha evolve into a full-time mission?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
Initially, I provided guidance completely free of charge while working as a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry. During the day, I worked in pharma, IT, and cell and gene therapy consulting, and in the evenings, I spent time helping cancer patients.
By 2024, I reached a crossroads. I had to decide whether to continue pursuing a conventional career path or dedicate myself fully to helping patients. I chose the latter and returned to India to focus entirely on Dr.Achha.
Q: Why did you decide to study psychology after your scientific training?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
I realized that cancer affects much more than the body. Many patients experience fear, anxiety, depression, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion. Some patients struggle mentally even before they begin struggling physically.
To better support them, I pursued a Master’s degree in Psychology in Germany and later completed a specialized course in Psychosocial Oncology through Harvard Medical School. These experiences helped me understand the emotional and psychological dimensions of cancer care.
Q: What trends are you seeing among people seeking counseling today?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
One surprising observation is that a large majority of people seeking mental health support are very young. Around 90% of the individuals reaching out for counseling are under the age of 35, and most are under 27 years old.
Many struggle with relationships, career uncertainty, academic stress, and emotional challenges. Often, they simply need someone to listen, provide perspective, and help them navigate life’s complexities.
Q: How do you help patients understand why cancer happened to them?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
The first step is gathering a detailed background. We discuss age, family history, lifestyle, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, occupational exposures, and other relevant factors.
Sometimes there is a clear genetic component. Other times, environmental exposures may play a role. In some cases, despite all investigations, the answer remains uncertain because cancer can result from random mutations that occur during life. Our goal is not necessarily to find a definitive cause but to help patients understand possible contributing factors.
Q: How is your approach different from a standard hospital consultation?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
Most clinical consultations are necessarily brief. Patients often fill out forms and answer standard questions, but many important details emerge only through conversation.
I typically spend an hour or more with patients and families. During these discussions, people become comfortable enough to share information they might not disclose in a questionnaire. This deeper understanding often helps uncover lifestyle factors, emotional concerns, and contextual information that can be important for their overall care.
Q: What are your thoughts on misinformation related to cancer treatment?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
One of the biggest challenges today is misinformation on social media. Many individuals make exaggerated claims about curing cancer through specific diets, supplements, or alternative treatments. Unfortunately, vulnerable patients often become targets of these promises.
I believe in a balanced approach. Lifestyle interventions, nutrition, yoga, and traditional systems of medicine can play supportive roles, but they should complement evidence-based treatment rather than replace it. Timing and context are critical.
Q: Do you believe cancer treatment should be more holistic?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
Absolutely. Cancer is not just a biological disease; it affects every aspect of a person’s life. Effective care requires attention to nutrition, emotional well-being, mental health, physical activity, family support, and lifestyle.
At Dr.Achha, we try to take a holistic approach by involving nutritionists, counselors, and other professionals whenever appropriate. Science and compassion must work together.
Q: What is your ultimate mission?
Dr. Amit Sharma:
My goal is simple: to ensure that patients and caregivers feel informed, supported, heard, and less alone during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
Science can treat disease, but empathy, guidance, and emotional support help people navigate the journey with hope, dignity, and resilience.
About the Guest
Dr. Amit Sharma is a Cancer Health Advisor, Psychosocial Oncologist, Counselling Psychologist, and Founder of Dr.Achha. He holds a PhD from Hannover Medical School, Germany, has worked in Cell & Gene Therapy and cancer research, and now focuses on helping patients and caregivers navigate the medical and emotional challenges of cancer.
