After earning his MBBS, Dr Sankaranarayanan completed his MD in Radiotherapy and worked at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram. He initially focused on cancer epidemiology before joining IARC, where he held key positions including Head of the Section of Early Detection and Prevention (2009–2015) and Special Advisor on Cancer Control (2013–2017) in Lyon, France.

Over his career, he published more than 260 peer-reviewed articles and authored several expert reports and WHO/IARC guidelines. His scientific work set the foundation for cancer screening protocols in resource-limited settings worldwide.

Returning to India after retirement in 2017, Dr Sankaranarayanan took up the role of Director of Preventive Oncology at Karkinos Healthcare. Even before he had been leading a grassroots cancer control programme involving 13 panchayats in the Chirayinkeezhu–Kazhakoottam block since 1994. The initiative helped detect oral, breast, and uterine cancers at an early stage in the region.

Tributes poured in from across the world. “Dr Sankar, as he is known in the West, was a brilliant scientist and a kind, idealistic man. He tirelessly advocated for primary prevention and early detection of cancer, especially in low- and middle-income countries,” wrote Dr Arn Migowski of Brazil’s National Cancer Institute on social media.

In recognition of his work, Dr Sankaranarayanan received several prestigious honours, including the Paul P. Carbone Award for International Oncology (USA), the Princess Lalla Salma International Prize (Morocco), and the Ernst Wertheim Prize (Austria).

Dr Sankaranarayanan is survived by his wife Subhalakshmi Sankaranarayanan and son Vikram Sankaranarayanan, who reside in Coimbatore.