Arizona university cancer researcher Rachna Shroff dies of disease she was trying to cure

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A University of Arizona cancer researcher has died 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 Tuesday. 

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.

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 died.

Before her death, 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 [a] 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.

“Her genius is incredible, forever an inspiration,” one mourner said.

“Dr. Shroff was a bright light who had an impact on everyone she encountered. Grateful to have had the opportunity to know her,” another added.

“Dr Shroff and her dedication to help the most vulnerable of patients will not be forgotten. Her life held purpose. I am grateful for the time we worked together,” a third supporter said.