Olubukola Ayodele, Breast Cancer Lead at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Working across different healthcare systems has quietly become one of my greatest professional strengths.
Training and practising in Nigeria, Ireland, Canada and the UK has given me something I did not fully appreciate at the beginning of my career: perspective.
Each system has its strengths. Each has its limitations. And when you step outside a single system long enough, you begin to see healthcare differently.
You start to think in systems.
In many high-income countries, we pride ourselves on advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge treatments and structured care pathways. Yet the complexity of these systems can sometimes slow innovation or disconnect care from the realities of the communities we serve.
In many low- and middle-income countries, resources are limited. But what often emerges is something equally powerful: ingenuity, adaptability and deeply community-centred care.
When resources are scarce, clinicians learn to ask different questions:
- What truly adds value?
- What can be simplified?
- What matters most to the patient sitting in front of me?
These lessons stay with you.
Working across these environments has shaped how I approach cancer care today. It has taught me that progress does not only move in one direction. High-income countries do not simply ‘teach’ the rest of the world. There is learning in every direction.
Low- and middle-income countries can benefit from access to innovation, research infrastructure and advanced therapeutics.
But high-income systems can also learn from the pragmatism, efficiency and community connection that often define care in lower-resource settings.
Cancer outcomes are not determined by science alone. They are shaped by health systems, access, trust, culture and community engagement.
That is why equity in cancer care requires more than new drugs or new technologies. It requires systems thinking. It requires partnerships.
Which is exactly why the theme for this year’s London Global Cancer Week is ‘Global Partnerships’.
From 2-6 Nov, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, patient advocates and industry leaders will come together in London to share ideas, challenge assumptions and explore how global collaboration can improve cancer care everywhere. The goal is simple: to harness transferable learning across health systems.
Because the solutions to some of our biggest cancer challenges already exist somewhere in the world. The real opportunity lies in connecting people, sharing experience and adapting what works.
And if your organization is passionate about advancing global cancer collaboration, contact us as there are opportunities to host sessions and support this platform via sponsorships.
Progress in cancer care has always been driven by collaboration. Global partnerships may be one of the most powerful tools we have.”
Other articles about London Global Cancer Week on OncoDaily.
