Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for almost 10 million deaths in 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Government organizations, agencies, institutes, researchers and oncologists are all active participants in improving cancer prevention and treatment. Against this backdrop, GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, has ranked the top oncology influencers during the second quarter (Q2) of 2021, based on their performance and engagement on Twitter.

GlobalData’s Oncology Influencer Platform, which tracks the top 200 oncology experts and their discussions pertaining to oncology innovations, emerging trends, topics and companies, revealed Mark Lewis, Director at Intermountain Health Care, as the top oncology influencer in Q2 2021. Lewis is a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the University of Utah and his key skills are medical education, process quality improvement, patient safety, healthcare information technology (HIT), and electronic medical record (EMR). Lewis largely shares updates on neuroendocrine tumours and cancer syndromes on Twitter.

Mike Thompson emerged as the next top influencer among the oncology experts with an influencer score of 93. Thompson is the Co-Director for Oncology Precision Medicine at Aurora Health Care. He is also Co-PI at NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). His focus area includes new treatments for all cancer types including hematologic or blood cancers such as lymphoma, myeloma, leukaemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Dee Sparacio, an experienced cancer patient advocate, was ranked third with an influencer score of 92 on GlobalData Oncology Influencer Platform. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Moderator of #gyncsm community and Co-author of 100 Questions & Answers about Ovarian Cancer. Sparacio is skilled in philanthropy, public speaking, non-profit organizations, and grant reviews.

Fern Barkalow, PhD, Senior Oncology and Hematology Director at GlobalData, comments: “The top ranking keywords in Q1 2021 and Q2 2021 included ‘ASCO’, ‘breast cancer’, ‘lung cancer’ and ‘pancreatic cancer’ as well as ‘cancer research’ and ‘immunotherapy’, corresponding with key trends from the virtual ASCO meeting which was held in June 2021. By following the top oncology influencers, which represent not only oncologists, but also patient advocates, cancer survivors and academics as well, pharma stakeholders can dynamically monitor the pulse of the industry on a regular basis, ultimately leading to better informed decision-making for drug development programs as well as treatment of patients.”