# Cancer researcher passes on from disease she spent her life trying to cure

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/cancer-researcher-passes-on-from-disease-she-spent-her-life-trying-to-cure/
- Published: 2026-10-15T20:05:00+00:00
- Author: Olamide

A University of Arizona cancer researcher has passed on at the age of 47 from the
disease she was working to cure. 

Rachna Shroff, an expert in the fields of pancreatic and bile duct cancers, “passed
away following a battle with an aggressive cancer,” the American Society of Clinical
Oncology announced.  

Earlier this year, Shroff, a mom to her 13-year-old son, Sachin and 17-year-old 
daughter Simran, was diagnosed with terminal adenocarcinoma – a type of cancer that
starts in the glands and lines a patient’s organs. 
 

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She had a swollen lymph node examined in May and initially doctors thought she had
lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, but the cancer had spread, NBC News reported. 

Shroff, who worked as the associate director of clinical investigations at the University
of Arizona Cancer Center, was about to mark her 20th wedding anniversary alongside
her husband Dr. Puneet Shroff before she passed on. 

Before her demise, she celebrated a series of important milestones, such as joining
her daughter on college visits, and attending her son’s baseball games.
She also
launched a Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award in her name and more than $1.35
million has been raised – with the money going towards trying to find a cure to 
the disease. 

That was “one of her final wishes,” the University of Arizona said.  

Shroff, who authored more than 80 publications, told NBC how her cancer fight had
been a “journey.” 

“I’ve spent my entire life trying to eradicate cancer, primarily pancreatic cancer
but also liver cancers,” she said. 

Despite her fight, she stuck by her personal motto, “If you can’t find the sunshine,
be the sunshine.” 

“Even in the face of her own diagnosis, Dr. Shroff spent her time endeavoring to‘
be the sunshine’ for others,” ASCO said. 

Shroff first explored the cancer research industry in the 1990s when she won the
Osler Fellowship Award in 1993 and received a work experience opportunity to work
in the U of A Cancer Center laboratory. 

She then went on to study at the Providence-based Ivy League institution, Brown 
University, graduating with a biochemistry degree in 2000.  

Shroff received a doctorate in medicine from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia
in 2004. 

She then worked as an associate professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, between 2010 and 2018.  

In 2018, she joined the University of Arizona and held the role of Associate Director
of Clinical Research since May 2022. 

“At the Cancer Center, she built a high-performing gastrointestinal oncology program
and, through her expansion of clinical trials in Southern Arizona, worked to ensure
patients could access the latest scientific advances,” the university said, adding
that her “most cherished roles were those of wife, mother, and friend.” 

Shroff also participated in ASCO panels relating to gastrointestinal cancers. 

Tributes have been paid to the expert on the Conquer webpage.
 

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  TL;DR (AI Generated)

University of Arizona cancer researcher Dr.

Rachna Shroff has died at the age of 47 from terminal adenocarcinoma, the same disease
she spent her career trying to cure.

Throughout her battle with the aggressive illness, she cherished milestones with
her husband and two children while continuing to advocate for patients.

Before her passing, she successfully established a research award in her name that
has raised over $1.35 million to help fund a future cure.

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