Front and Center: Dr. Devika Das

Front and Center: Dr. Devika Das

Dr. Devika Das has built her career on a simple yet powerful principle: treat every patient as she would her own family.

Das, chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and associate director of clinical affairs for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, specializes in thoracic oncology, balancing the missions of education and research with caring for patients with lung and other cancers of the chest cavity.

"I was the first physician in my family," Das said, "so my philosophy of wanting to practice medicine comes from the desire to provide care to people like I would want for myself and my loved ones."

After an internal medicine residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she knew the direction her career would take.

"It became very clear that the patients who needed the most advocacy and support were the patients with cancer," she said, "so that is how I got drawn into oncology. It was tough, it was hard, mentally draining and physically exhausting, but I still wanted to do it. I knew this was my path, and I haven't regretted it for a day."

Das, who also holds a master's degree in health care quality and safety from UAB, was drawn to the mission of CCRI, which is seeking a National Cancer Institute designation.

"I want to help ensure our patients have access to the latest research, clinical trials, screenings and faster care," she said.

Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director, said Das is a welcome addition to UMMC and CCRI.

"Her dedication to balancing compassionate care with cutting-edge research and education truly reflects the mission of our Cancer Center and Research Institute," he said. "Her expertise in thoracic oncology and her commitment to advancing cancer care and access to clinical trials will be invaluable as we work toward achieving an NCI designation. Dr. Das' leadership and commitment to care make her an extraordinary addition to the state."

The challenges of treating lung cancer and the needs of those who have it drew Das to the specialty.

"I think historically lung cancer has just not gotten a lot of attention," she said. "One reason is the stigma around lung cancer. A lot of my patients wouldn't want others to know what kind of cancer they had because they would think that they had smoked or used tobacco and somehow deserved what they got, which is not true.

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related death in both men and women, but funding for lung cancer research lags behind that of other cancers. Studieshave shown that, worldwide, funding for lung cancer research has not kept up with its incidence.

"We're seeing more and more people who've never had any tobacco-related exposure, including young men and women, who are getting lung cancer," she said, "so I think the time is right for us to destigmatize this disease."

While smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, radon, exposure to hazardous chemicals, air pollution and genetic predisposition also play significant roles in whether someone develops the disease, the American Lung Associationreports.

Those diagnosed with lung cancer should request a full genomic sequencing of their tumor, Das said.

"That gives us specific mutations specific to their cancer, and that gives us options for treatment. We have at least 10 different non-chemotherapy oral, IV and targeted therapies that are FDA-approved. Having information from what a lot of patients call molecular testing may also give them access to clinical trials that are specific to their cancer type."

Having the best chances against lung cancer mean an early diagnosis before cancer cells travel to other parts of the body. From 2018 to 2022, 44.4% of lung cancers were diagnosed at the distant stage, meaning the cancer had spread, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionreports.

"It's a symptomless cancer until it becomes advanced," Das said. "We have two lungs, and they have a lot of capacity, so until there is a cancer that is significantly affecting breathing capacity or one of the other organs, most people won't find out about it early. That's why screening is so important."

A low-dose CT screening, she said, "can pick up early-stage lung cancer with the goal of a cure."

Symptoms of lung cancer can include a worsening cough, hoarseness, constant chest pain, shortness of breath, frequent infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia and coughing up blood. Other signs, such as weight loss, loss of appetite, headaches and fractures, don't appear until lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

"When lung cancer is diagnosed in advanced stages, while we can provide treatments to improve quality of life and improve symptoms, cure is not yet an option," she said. "If we can catch these cancers early, we can cure more people of lung cancer."

"Ultimately my goal as the new chief is to advance the science and train/build the future team of oncologists through our robust fellowship programwho would continue to provide kind, compassionate cancer care to all patients."