“No one is winning the war on cancer,” declared Dr. Azra Raza, a renowned oncologist and professor at Columbia University. She delivered a series of compelling talks at LUMS from November 20 to 22.
Dr. Raza urged a shift from outdated cancer treatments to prevention-focused care. She advocated for detecting the disease at its first cell, where health begins to waver. Her book, The First Cell, critiques current approaches and calls for revolutionary change.
She also linked science, empathy, and art. Quoting poets like Ghalib and Emily Dickinson, she explored how creativity uplifts the human spirit. Her Urdu poetry recitations inspired a reconnection with culture and literature.
In collaboration with Dr. Stavroula Kousteni, Dr. Raza highlighted the communal nature of science. She stated, “Art is ‘I,’ but science is ‘we.’” Her talks encouraged collective action to tackle complex global challenges.
Hosted by LUMS initiatives, including the Gurmani Centre and Two Cultures Initiative, the sessions attracted a diverse audience. Dr. Raza left participants with renewed inspiration and a vision for blending art and science in meaningful ways.
