AMA President Shares Brain Cancer Journey on World Cancer Day

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala discusses how his own cancer diagnosis reshaped his understanding of what patients experience.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:39pm

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After being diagnosed with an eight-centimeter, grade 2 astrocytoma at the end of 2024, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, the president of the American Medical Association, said becoming a patient reshaped how he understands what patients with cancer experience each day. In an interview, Mukkamala described undergoing brain surgery, tests and insurance hurdles, including prior authorization for a $900-a-day IDH inhibitor. He emphasized the need for early detection, equitable access to care and stronger emotional support for patients and families on World Cancer Day.

Why it matters

Mukkamala's personal experience with cancer has given him a unique perspective as both a physician and a patient. He can now better advocate for improvements in cancer care, such as addressing barriers to access and the importance of emotional support, based on his own journey.

The details

Mukkamala was diagnosed with an eight-centimeter, grade 2 astrocytoma just six months before being inaugurated as president of the American Medical Association. As a head and neck surgeon, he had previously thought he understood what patients with cancer go through, but his own experience as a patient reshaped that understanding. He faced challenges like insurance hurdles, including prior authorization for a $900-a-day medication, and the uncertainty between surgery and pathology results, which he found to be an especially emotional time.

  • Mukkamala was diagnosed with the brain tumor at the end of 2024.
  • Within 24 hours of his diagnosis, Mukkamala was starting telemedicine consultations with neurosurgeons.
  • It took three weeks between Mukkamala's surgery and the final pathology results, during which time he didn't know if he was dying in 12 years or 12 months.

The players

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala

The president of the American Medical Association and a head and neck surgeon who was diagnosed with an eight-centimeter, grade 2 astrocytoma brain tumor at the end of 2024.

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What they’re saying

“It's been an incredibly informative, very moving experience. I thought that before I became a cancer patient — and I think it's true — nobody is closer to patients, particularly those with cancer, than their physician.”

— Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, President, American Medical Association

“Between my surgery and the final pathology, which took three weeks, I didn't know if I was dying in 12 years or 12 months. I had no idea. That was a very intense time.”

— Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, President, American Medical Association

“Access to care stands out the most. I live in Flint, Michigan, a pretty underserved community with more than 50% of residents on Medicaid. Yet I had access to the best neurosurgeons in the country within days. Most of my neighbors couldn't get even a fraction of that within a month.”

— Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, President, American Medical Association

What’s next

The AMA plans to continue advocating for improvements in cancer care, such as addressing barriers to access and the importance of emotional support, based on Mukkamala's personal experience as both a physician and a patient.

The takeaway

Mukkamala's cancer journey has given him a unique perspective that allows him to better understand and advocate for the needs of cancer patients. His story highlights the importance of early detection, equitable access to care, and providing strong emotional support for those facing a cancer diagnosis.