Rif’at Hanifah, Student Member at ESMO – European Society for Medical Oncology, shared on LinkedIn:
“I’m delighted to have been part of the 2.5 – day oncology course conducted by ESMO, NCCS, and Duke-NUS, bringing together 60 medical students from 15 countries across the Asia-Pacific region to explore the beauty and complexity of oncology early in our careers.
This was the first course of its kind in Asia, following its establishment in Europe since 2004.
Four things I loved most about this course:
- I loved how the course and its presenters exposed us to the beautiful complexity of oncology without expecting us to immediately master every treatment regimen and therapy. Instead, they emphasized the key principles at each step, starting from epidemiology, screening, and risk factors to diagnosis and treatment.
- The speakers also repeatedly acknowledged the limitations faced by different countries in our region and discussed alternative approaches that could be adapted to different healthcare settings. This made the course challenging, while still feeling approachable rather than overwhelming.
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- The clinical case discussions after each cancer-focused session allowed us to immediately apply what we learned and appreciate that cancer treatment is never one-size-fits-all. Tumor characteristics, patient preferences, treatment profiles, and multidisciplinary decision-making all matter.
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- I loved learning alongside such a diverse cohort. Coming from 15 different countries, we shared different perspectives, healthcare systems, and challenges, not only during lectures, but also over lunch and at the networking dinner. Beyond knowledge, we built connections and encouraged one another.
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- I truly appreciated how approachable and humble the speakers were. They listened attentively to our questions and perspectives, making us feel genuinely respected as medical students. They were also very easy to approach during tea breaks, lunch, and the networking dinner, making learning feel much more like a conversation than a lecture.
The message that stayed with me most came from Kennedy Ng, at the last session about preventive oncology and healthcare system, he said:
‘Don’t let perfection become the enemy of good.’
We can all make a difference, even when we face limitations.
Thank you, ESMO – European Society for Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, and Duke-NUS Medical School, for this amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I’ve also put together a little carousel with my session-by-session takeaways, so medical students who couldn’t attend can still get a glimpse of the experience – and hopefully consider applying next year!”
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