Darab Jehangir Jussawala, Physician
Physician

Darab Jehangir Jussawala

Born 13 April 1915 · verify

Co-founded the Indian Cancer Society and established India's first cancer rehabilitation center in 1956.

Darab Jehangir Jussawala was an Indian medical-cum-surgical oncologist, medical writer and the director of Tata Memorial Centre. He was the co-founder of Indian Cancer Society, along with Naval Tata in 1951, and the founder of the Indian Cancer Rehabilitation Centre in Parel, Mumbai, in 1956, the first such centre in India and the largest in Asia. He served as the director of Lady Ratan Tata Medical and Research Center and as the honorary consultant at two Mumbai hospitals, Breach Candy Hospital and Jaslok Hospital. An elected fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy and the American College of Surgeons, he was a recipient of the Dhanwantari Award as well as several Oration Awards.

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A detail that
surprised us

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The Indian Cancer Rehabilitation Centre founded by Jussawala in 1956 was the largest such center in Asia at the time, a fact not widely known outside oncology circles.

The Story

1
In 1948, Darab Jehangir Jussawala joined Tata Memorial Hospital as one of India’s earliest surgical oncologists, marking the start of a career that would shape cancer treatment in the nation.
2
🌟 In 1951, he co-founded the Indian Cancer Society with Naval Tata, pioneering organized cancer awareness and patient support in India.
3By 1956, he established the Indian Cancer Rehabilitation Centre in Parel, Mumbai, a facility that became the largest cancer rehabilitation center in Asia.
4In 1963, Jussawala contributed critical research data to India’s first Population-based Cancer Registry and founded the Indian Journal of Cancer, advancing cancer research documentation.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1974
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1951, Jussawala partnered with industrialist Naval Tata to start the Indian Cancer Society, a non-profit that was among the first organized cancer-focused groups in India.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Bombay
Darab Jehangir Jussawala was born to Jehangir Bezonjee Jussawalla and Shirinbai in Bombay, Maharashtra.
1915
📚
Education
Graduated in Medicine
Completed medical degree from Bombay University, beginning his formal medical career.
1938
⚡
Career
Joined Tata Memorial Hospital
Started work as a surgical oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital, among the first in India.
1948
⚡
Career
Co-founded Indian Cancer Society
Founded the Indian Cancer Society with Naval Tata to advance cancer awareness and care.
1951
⚡
Career
Established Indian Cancer Rehabilitation Centre
Founded the largest cancer rehabilitation center in Asia, located in Parel, Mumbai.
1956
⚡
Career
Became Director of Tata Memorial Centre
Led Tata Memorial Centre as director, expanding cancer treatment and research until 1980.
1973
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for contributions to medicine.
1975
🕊️
Death
Passed Away
Darab Jehangir Jussawala died, leaving behind a legacy in Indian oncology.
1999
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

The Indian Cancer Rehabilitation Centre launched by Jussawala in 1956 remains the largest rehabilitation center for cancer patients in Asia, emphasizing recovery beyond treatment.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Jussawala founded the Indian Journal of Cancer in 1963, creating a dedicated platform for publishing Indian oncology research during the early post-independence period.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He established India’s first cytology laboratory and chemotherapy facility at Tata Memorial Centre, pioneering diagnostic and treatment infrastructure in the country.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Darab Jehangir Jussawala’s creation of the Indian Cancer Society and establishment of rehabilitation and research centers laid the groundwork for structured cancer care in India. The institutions he founded, including the Indian Cancer Rehabilitation Centre and the Indian Journal of Cancer, continue to influence cancer treatment protocols and patient support services. His leadership at Tata Memorial Centre institutionalized chemotherapy and cytology in Indian oncology, setting standards still followed today.

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