Manoj P. Menon, MD

Why do you study global oncology?

Roughly 50% of cancer diagnoses and 70% of cancer-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Efforts to reduce the toll of infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in these parts of the world have seen some success. But now that people are living longer, cancer is on the rise, and many of these poorer countries lack the resources and infrastructure to adequately diagnose and treat people with cancer. That’s why I’m driven to look for ways we can increase cancer screening and referral rates and improve therapeutic options for patients living in LMICs. I believe that people should have access to timely, high-quality cancer care, no matter where they live.

What do you enjoy about working with patients and families?

Getting diagnosed with cancer is a very difficult time in people’s lives. I value the powerful, meaningful discussions I’m able to have with patients about their biggest hopes and fears — and everything in between. It’s such a privilege to be present for those intimate conversations. I see my role as a listener and an educator, sharing my perspective about your diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options so that you can make decisions about your care and your future.

Provider Background

Specialty: Medical Oncology

HIV-associated lymphoma and other malignancies

I am a board-certified medical oncologist who treats patients at SCCA and Harborview Medical Center. I was first drawn to practicing medicine out of an interest in public health. After residency, I spent six years working at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where I began studying the intersection between infectious disease and cancer. Certain viruses, such as HIV, can place people at a much higher risk of developing malignancies.

My clinical and research interests center on HIV-associated lymphoma and other cancers as well as global oncology. I study cancer characteristics, diagnostics and treatment in low-income countries, such as Uganda, and low-resource settings within the United States. I have found that there are lessons to be learned all over the world about delivering cost-effective, culturally relevant care.