Episode 1 with Dr. Hadeel Hassan – Cancer Through My Eyes

We are thrilled to introduce Cancer Through My Eyes, a brand-new series on OncoDaily where we explore the personal and professional journeys of oncologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals shaping the future of cancer care.

While breakthroughs in cancer research often make headlines, the human stories behind these advancements are just as powerful. This series will go beyond the science to uncover the motivations, challenges, and defining moments that drive those on the frontlines of oncology.

For our first episode, we’re excited to feature Dr. Hadeel Hassan, a leader at the intersection of pediatric oncology and artificial intelligence. Dr. Hassan’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and personal motivation. From navigating her own medical challenges to advancing AI research in pediatric oncology at SickKids, her story offers valuable insight into the evolving landscape of cancer care.

Her ability to combine cutting-edge research with compassionate patient care reflects the heart of this series – showcasing the people driving progress in oncology.

Dr. Hassan’s story is not just about scientific advancements – it’s about the power of connection, perseverance, and the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young patients.

Dr. Hadeel Hassan’s Story

Dr. Hadeel Hassan joined the Sung Machine Learning Research Team in July 2023 as the first GFCC Artificial Intelligence Fellow, a clinical research fellowship funded by the Garron Family Cancer Centre at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Before this, she completed a clinical fellowship in paediatric haematology and oncology at SickKids.

Dr. Hassan trained in Leeds, UK, where she also completed a PhD in paediatric oncology supportive care at the University of Leeds in 2020. Her current research focuses on leveraging machine learning to improve patient outcomes and advance data-driven approaches in paediatric oncology.

Q&A with Dr. Hassan:

Dr. Hassan’s path has been shaped by both personal and professional experiences, giving her a unique perspective on cancer care. In this conversation, she reflects on the defining moments that led her to oncology, the challenges of integrating AI into clinical care, and the emotional highs and lows of working with young patients facing life-threatening illnesses.

1. Through your journey in paediatric oncology, what personal experiences have shaped your perspective on cancer care for children?

Perhaps not directly related to paediatric oncology, but my own medical journey has had a profound impact on how I approach patient care. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when I was one year old. At the time, it was classified as moderate hemiplegia, but thanks to intensive therapy throughout my childhood and teenage years, my symptoms are now quite mild.

I saw my paediatric neurologist regularly until I turned 18. He was always cheerful, took a genuine interest in the things I enjoyed, and even shared personal stories from his own life-which I loved hearing! I looked forward to my appointments (even when he gently scolded me for not doing my exercises!). It was after one of these clinic visits, that I decided I wanted to become a doctor.

For him, I was one of many patients, and to an extent, he was just doing his job. But the way he interacted with me had such a profound lasting impact that it ultimately shaped my career path. That experience has made me keenly aware of the power of these interactions in paediatric oncology.

The way I communicate with children and teenagers; whether it’s a small moment of kindness or a simple conversation, can leave an impression that stays with them for life. So, I always strive to make those interactions as positive as possible.

2. As the first fellow in the GFCC Artificial Intelligence Fellowship, a clinical research fellowship funded by the Garron Family Cancer Centre at SickKids, what motivated you to pursue this intersection of technology and medicine?

I had already noticed the growing excitement around artificial intelligence (AI) in both the news, even before the release of ChatGPT 3.5, during the second year of my clinical fellowship. At the same time, discussions about AI’s potential to transform healthcare were increasing, and I was curious about its applications in paediatric oncology.

As I started exploring this further, I was surprised to find that there was relatively little research on AI in paediatric oncology.

When I learned about this fellowship, I immediately recognized it as a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research and contribute to an emerging field with guidance from experts. Deciding to do it was a no-brainer!

I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this program and to have the support, supervision, and mentorship of world-leading experts in both AI and paediatric oncology. I am also deeply grateful to the Garron Family Centre for funding my two-year fellowship.

3. During your time as Co-Chief Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Fellow at SickKids, what moment or patient story has stayed with you the most?

I was always struck by the incredible support and kindness among other fellows and the health-care team.
At the end of my chief fellowship, I was deeply moved when colleagues took the time to express their appreciation through thoughtful messages and gestures.

Expressions of appreciation from other fellows thanking me for my kindness and support and even receiving a professionalism award was incredibly touching. It is a powerful reminder to me that even in the most demanding times, people recognize and value the effort put into creating a supportive and compassionate environment.

4. Your PhD focused on improving the reporting of death in children with cancer – how has this research impacted the way you approach end-of-life care and difficult conversations with families?

I completed my PhD at the University of Leeds, UK, in 2020. My thesis, Improving the Reporting of Death and Investigating the Role of Probiotics in Mucositis and Infections in Children with Cancer, focused on two key areas.

The first part of my research involved validating a classification tool to determine the cause of death in children with cancer, specifically distinguishing between death due to disease progression and treatment-related mortality (TRM).

My findings highlighted that infection remains a significant cause of death in children with cancer, which led me to undertake the second part of my PhD which involved undertaking a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the use of probiotics in people with cancer. This review also explored whether probiotics could reduce the occurrence of fevers and infections.

Findings from my review were then used to develop a feasibility study to assess whether probiotics could help prevent mucositis and infections in children with cancer. The classification tool I validated was originally developed at SickKids.

My research demonstrated that the tool could be successfully applied in a different country and hospital setting. I also identified that the tool would not be able to classify TRM in patients receiving palliative care, where the distinction between treatment-related and disease-related deaths can be less clear. To address this, I proposed a new classification tool that could be applied to children receiving non-curative therapy.

My research has reinforced the importance of individualized, patient centered care and the need to continually explore ways to improve quality of life in every stage of a patient’s journey, and even in the most difficult circumstances.

5. Cancer care is not just medical – it’s deeply emotional. How do you process the emotional highs and lows of working with young patients facing life-threatening illnesses?

I think every oncologist remembers the first time they were deeply affected by the passing of a patient they had connected with. In that moment, the emotions were tough. When I had time to reflect on my experience, I realized that if I felt that intensely with every patient, it would be incredibly difficult to continue providing the best care I could.

Over time, I learned the importance of switching off when not at work so I can continue to maintain empathy and compassion when at work.

One thing that has also helped me immensely is setting personal goals outside of work, particularly through exercise. I love weightlifting and running, and I have a personal tradition of running one marathon per year.
Exercise helps me wind down and de-stress. Having something outside of work to focus on gives me a sense of balance and personal accomplishment.

6. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from children battling cancer, and how has it shaped your outlook on life and medicine?

Children are incredibly resilient, and I have met so many inspiring young patients who take life-changing news in their stride.

For example, when you tell a child they have cancer, they might ask a few questions, sometimes very direct ones, but then go right back to doing what matters to them like playing with their toys or reading a book. They can focus on what makes them happy in the moment, regardless of what they have just been told.

Interacting with children with cancer has taught me the importance of living in the moment and making the most of life. It has made me reflect on whether I am truly living the life I want, so that if I were to receive a life-changing diagnosis, I could look back without regrets. Of course, that is easier said than done.

7. What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for the next generation of oncologists to develop in order to integrate AI effectively into clinical practice?

A great question and something I am very passionate about!

Understanding the principles of clinical research and being able to critically appraise studies is essential for all oncologists, even for those who do not actively undertake research projects. The same principles apply to AI in oncology.

Even if an oncologist is not directly involved in AI research, having a fundamental understanding of AI methodologies and the ability to critically evaluate AI-based studies is crucial, especially as AI research in oncology continues to grow exponentially.

The second key skill is knowing how to effectively use AI tools that are integrated into clinical practice. It is important to remember that AI should augment, not replace, clinical expertise. Oncologists must be able to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, as AI systems can still make errors.

For example, AI-powered scribe technology may streamline documentation but might fail to distinguish which parts of a patient interaction are clinically relevant, or may misinterpret data. This makes it imperative for clinicians to use AI tools cautiously, review and fact-check AI-generated notes, and always apply their clinical knowledge.

8. What are some of the biggest challenges in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to paediatric oncology, and how do you see these challenges evolving?

I’ll focus on two key challenges.

One of the biggest issues is the relative rarity of paediatric oncology diagnoses and the need for large datasets to appropriately train AI models. In clinical trials, we emphasize the importance of adequate sample sizes to achieve statistical power, but AI models require even larger amounts of data to learn how to make accurate predictions.

However, there is exciting research exploring ways to address this challenge, including work I am currently involved in.

Another major challenge is bridging the gap between AI research and real-world clinical implementation.

While AI and machine learning in health-care are undoubtedly “hot” research areas, only a small percentage of AI/ML models ever make it into clinical practice. Because of this, there is a growing effort to overcome this translational gap and I think we will see a lot of progress in upcoming years.

9. If you could change one thing about how paediatric oncology is approached globally, what would it be and why?

If I could change one thing, it would be ensuring that access to treatment and survival is not determined by the lottery of birth. Every child, no matter where they are born, should have the same access to life-saving treatments and supportive care.

My parents are originally from Iraq and were in England during the Iraq-Iran war, where they had the opportunity to apply for asylum. As a result, I was born in the UK and was able to remain there. In countries like the UK and Canada, the 10-year overall survival (OS) rate for cancers is approximately 80%.

In Iraq, there is a lack of publicly available national statistics, but the estimated 5-year OS rate is around 50%, meaning the 10-year OS rate is likely even lower. This disparity is due to several factors, including limited access to care, medication shortages, inadequate medical equipment, and even treatment abandonment.

It is heartbreaking to know that a child’s chance of survival is lower simply because of where they live.

With the rise of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, this gap may continue to widen as many countries struggle to access these treatments. Addressing these disparities and improving global access to paediatric cancer care should continue to be a priority.

10. Looking back on your journey so far, what advice would you give to your younger self before stepping into the world of paediatric oncology?

The best advice I would give to my younger self is to pace yourself because this is a long journey. In the early days of my career, I didn’t realize that taking care of others also requires taking care of yourself. Constantly working at 150% can lead to burnout, health issues, and diminished performance.

A balance of sustainable effort, high-intensity work when needed, and deliberate rest helps maintain longevity in this demanding field. Downtime is not something to feel guilty about, though I struggled with this in my early years.

This approach is becoming even more important as paediatric oncology continues to evolve. Patient caseloads are increasing, and cases are becoming more complex due to advances detection, knowledge and research.

The field today is vastly different from what it was 20 or 30 years ago. Finding a sustainable way to contribute long-term is essential, both for the well-being of physicians and the quality of care we provide to our patients.

Dr. Hadeel Hassan’s story is a powerful reminder that cancer care is not just about medical innovation – it’s about human connection and resilience. Her ability to combine cutting-edge artificial intelligence with compassionate, patient-centered care highlights the future of paediatric oncology.

What makes her journey truly remarkable is not just the scientific breakthroughs she is contributing to, but the personal connection and empathy she brings to her work.

Her insights into the intersection of AI and paediatric oncology reveal both the promise and the complexity of integrating new technology into clinical care. But beyond the research, Dr. Hassan’s story underscores the profound impact that small moments of kindness and understanding can have on patients and their families.

As we launch this new series, Cancer Through My Eyes, we aim to spotlight the stories behind the science – the motivations, challenges, and triumphs of those who dedicate their lives to cancer care. Dr. Hassan’s journey sets a high standard for the kind of insight and humanity we hope to share in future episodes.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore the personal side of oncology through the eyes of those shaping the future of cancer care.

By Semiramida Nina Markosyan, HBSc.

Read and watch more dialogues and series by OncoDaily.