Fellowship in Marsden

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide as per World Health Organization (WHO). Cancer is very difficult to treat, because it is enormously complex, it can adapt and evolve as its environment changes and in response to treatment. Paramount importance is of the research and trial which can seek answer and outsmart cancer with new modalities of treatment. A strategic vision with huge investment has to be driven with different policies. These are what you get to realize, happens in a developed world. So is true with England, where I got the opportunity to do my 3 months of fellowship training program under Royal Marsden Hospital, Chelsea/Sutton.

Marsden being the referral center for cancer treatment, a plethora of cases are found to be seen. Multiple charitable funders, funding councils, academic partners, trusts and donors along with Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) as a research wing undoubtedly make it one of the pioneering institutes in the world. Individualized treatment with clinical trials is sought here for best answers. A translational medicine from the research laboratory to palliative team effort till patients’ last breath is managed with care. With a well-managed outpatient clinic on time, electronic data keeping, well explained treatment modalities and adequate time for counselling, available choices are well received by patients with good gestures. A free brochure to know your disease well, prepares the patients with ease. With a system well built, multicultural and multinational staffs and patients are found to be seen. Patients from Middle East are easily found here.

Approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. Nepal being one of them, burden of disease is massive. Hence, prevention is the only answer for the developing world. Government has a big role to play, from generating manpower to putting resources in right direction, for handling both cancer incidence and prevalence.

Coming back from Marsden, putting my experience into context is challenging. But I believe, things that I have learned, will help me take some more steps forward, for the betterment of my region.

On behalf of the trainees, I would like to thank BNMT family, Dr Gillian Holdsworth, Prof. Rosalind Eeles (ICR), the Britain-Nepal Society Chairman Mr Andy Sparkes, Former British Ambassador to Nepal, Mr Richard Morris, and RMH family for this golden opportunity.

Navin Bajracharya, MD
Registrar
Department of Radiation Oncology
Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital(BCH)
Nepal Cancer Relief Society(NCRS)
mynetmed@gmail.com