Dr Shanta, chairperson of Cancer Institute passes away Doyen of cancer care V Shanta died early morning on Tuesday after being rushed to hospital due to chest pain the previous night. 0 claps Renowned oncologist and chairperson of the Cancer Institute, Dr V Shanta, who is noted for her outstanding contribution to cancer care died early on Tuesday. She was 93. Sources at the Cancer Institute said Dr Shanta was rushed to hospital after she complained of chest pain last night at about 9 p.m. She had a massive block that could not be removed. Her end came at about 3.55 a.m., said a senior oncologist at the institute. Her body was moved to the old Cancer Institute premises, which she helped to build.