Enes Erul, Oncology Fellow at Ankara University, shared on LinkedIn:
“Over the last two months I had the privilege of completing my ESMO – European Society for Medical Oncology International Cancer Foundation (ICF) Clinical Unit Visit Fellowship at Royal Derby Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, under the generous mentorship of Prof. K. L. Cheung Prantik Das.
This fellowship was much more than a clinical observership. It was a deep reflection on what cancer care means in an ageing world.
Our population is ageing.
Cancer is ageing.
And oncology must evolve accordingly.
As oncologists, we are increasingly caring for older adults whose treatment decisions cannot be guided by tumour biology alone. Frailty, functional reserve, cognition, comorbidities, social support, patient preference, treatment tolerance, and quality of life are not secondary considerations. They are central to good oncology care.
This is why geriatric oncology is not optional. It is essential.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to observe breast cancer clinics, breast MDTs, urogenital MDTs, colorectal MDTs, radiotherapy planning sessions, clinical trial clinics, ward rounds.
I am deeply grateful to the International Cancer Foundation (ICF) Foundation and ESMO – European Society for Medical Oncology for making this opportunity possible. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Prof. K. L. Cheung for his mentorship, hospitality, support, and inspiring guidance throughout the programme.
I am also grateful to all members of the Royal Derby Hospital team, including the breast, urology, colorectal, lung cancer, radiotherapy, clinical trials, nursing, and MDT teams, who welcomed me so generously and contributed to my learning.
The most important lesson was that, despite differences between healthcare systems, the core values of cancer care are universal.
The structure may differ.
The funding mechanisms may differ.
The documentation burden may differ.
The referral pathways may differ.
But the emotions are the same.
Fear after diagnosis is universal.
Hope during treatment is universal.
Uncertainty is universal.
The need to be heard, understood, and cared for is universal.
This visit helped me see once again that global cancer care is a shared mission. Whether in the United Kingdom, Türkiye, or elsewhere, our ultimate aim is the same: to provide compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centred, and holistic care.
Because in the end, oncology is not only about treating cancer.
It is about caring for people.”
Other articles featuring Enes Erul on OncoDaily.
