After completing his medical training, Kannan joined the
Adyar Cancer Institute where he was heading the surgical oncology department in the early 2000s. In 2006, he visited the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre for the first time for a consultation on the request of a colleague and that's when he met the then director of CCHRC who invited him to head the centre. Since 2007, Kannan has continued to work in the region and has made numerous contributions to spreading cancer awareness, heading and collaborating on cancer research studies in the region including setting up a hospital and regional cancer registry, strengthening cancer care facilities, and providing basic and specialised healthcare for cancer patients. In 2020, during the pandemic, the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre was converted into a covid hospital. Under his leadership, the hospital worked to provide care to both sets of patients, those fighting cancer and covid-19 infections. ==Awards==