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Cancer Care
Comprehensive Cancer Care
29 July, 2025
As cancer survival rates continue to rise where they were once low on a global scale, healthcare professionals need to take that next step and think beyond treatment into survivorship care. Held in June 2025, by Manipal Hospitals during National Cancer Survivor Month, the panel comes at a time when cross-border treatment, long-term recovery, and compassionate care are essential to the global cancer conversation. The session, moderated by Dr. Nitin Yashas Murthy, Consultant – Medical Oncology & Haematologist at Manipal Hospitals, brought together experts to discuss Cancer Survivorship: Beyond Borders, Stories of Hope, and Building Resilience.
The session began with the remarkable story of Mrs. Alice, a courageous cancer survivor from Malawi. She shared her hope story, emphasising the advanced care she received at Manipal Hospitals and the lack of oncology infrastructure in Malawi. Her powerful story of resilience established an emotional frame for our discussion, emphasising the need for accessible, high-quality cancer care for everyone, everywhere.
Manipal Hospitals bridges gaps in cancer care through advanced technology and international partnerships, offering hope to patients worldwide.
Tumour board discussions involving diverse specialists ensure personalised, effective treatment plans.
Innovations like IMRT, SRS, and image-guided radiation therapy minimise side effects and improve outcomes.
Tailored follow-up programs, including psychological and dietary support, address patients’ and families’ needs post-treatment.
Virtual consultations and coordinated follow-ups ensure seamless care for international patients returning home.
Experts like Dr. Ejikeme Uchenna highlighted how Manipal’s infrastructure can inspire improvements in regions with limited oncology resources.
The panel featured distinguished oncologists: Dr. Amit Rauthan, HOD & Consultant – Medical Oncology, Immunotherapy, and Precision Medicine at Manipal Hospitals; Dr. Vadhiraja B. M., HOD & Consultant – Radiation Oncology at Manipal Hospitals; Dr. Yashmeeta Bundhoo, Clinical and Radiation Oncologist from Mauritius; Dr. Ejikeme Uchenna, Haematologist from Nigeria; and Dr. Abhinav Narwariya, Consultant – Medical Oncology at Manipal Hospitals, Delhi. They addressed the global rise in cancer cases and the importance of delivering competent, technology-driven care to patients travelling across borders.
Dr. Amit Rauthan described the journey of international patients who arrive at Manipal Hospitals’ oncology outpatient department with high expectations. A comprehensive evaluation process, including PET scans, biopsies, and multidisciplinary tumour board discussions, ensures tailored treatment plans. These boards, comprising medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, pathologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and psycho-oncologists, prioritise patient-centred care.
Dr. Amit Rauthan emphasised, “We aim to deliver the best treatment possible, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to excellence.
Dr. Ejikeme Uchenna, joining from Nigeria, praised Manipal Hospital’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including advanced diagnostic tools and treatment technologies. He highlighted how these resources could benefit Nigerian communities, where access to specialised oncology care remains limited, emphasising the potential for international collaborations to bridge these gaps.
Dr. Vadhiraja B. M. tackled common myths about radiation therapy, such as fears of burns or severe side effects. During the conversation, he explained that advancements like Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), and image-guided radiation therapy have minimised the side effects and have shortened the treatment durations. For instance, radiation treatment for prostate cancer has been reduced from the 38 days recovery time to as few as 20 days in select cases. Manipal Hospital’s cutting-edge facilities, including the Elekta Infinity Linear Accelerator and high-dose-rate brachytherapy, make sure that the treatments are precise and effective with fewer side effects. By educating the patients throughout the treatment process, the oncology team tries to build trust and reduce stigma for the patients and the caregiver, while the procedures are underway.
Dr. Yashmeeta Bundhoo, joining from Mauritius, emphasised the importance of survivorship care for patients returning home after treatment. Dedicated follow-up programs address late side effects, such as swallowing difficulties in head and neck cancer survivors, with support from allied health professionals like dieticians, speech therapists, and sleep therapists. She stressed the need for family counselling to address misunderstandings, such as blaming patients for reduced appetite. Dr. Bundhoo noted that oncology care in Mauritius is still developing, making collaborations with institutions like Manipal vital for improving survivorship support.
Dr. Abhinav Narwariya, based in Delhi, highlighted the challenges faced by patients from GCC countries, including logistical and cultural barriers. He emphasised that survivorship planning begins at diagnosis, not post-treatment. Manipal Hospitals Global ensures continuity of care through detailed discharge summaries, virtual consultations, and coordination with local healthcare providers. This approach supports patients’ long-term recovery and fosters resilience, particularly for those navigating different healthcare systems.
The panel underscored that cancer care is a collaborative, multidisciplinary journey that extends beyond borders. By combining advanced technology, compassionate care, and robust survivorship planning, Manipal Hospitals is setting a global standard for oncology, inspiring hope and resilience in survivors like Mrs. Alice.
Cancer survivorship is divided into three phases: acute survivorship, which starts at diagnosis (with the beginning of active treatment) and ends with the successful completion of active treatment; extended survivorship, which starts with the end of treatment and includes monitoring for recurrence and managing ongoing side effects; and permanent survivorship, which is long-term recovery that focuses on overall well-being on late effects of treatment and quality of life.
Habitual lifestyle factors such as maintaining a healthy diet, being physically active, not using tobacco, limiting alcohol use, managing stress, and participating in regular medical follow-ups are critical to recovery, reducing the risk of recurrence, and improving quality of life for cancer survivors.
Radiation treatment is effective, especially for localised and early-stage diseases like breast cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancer. In cases where radiation therapy is used alone or as part of a multi-modal therapy, control and cure rates in the 70% to 90% range may be realised, depending on the type and stage of cancer.
The oncology market in the GCC countries is expanding quickly because there is an upward trend in cancer cases, greater awareness of cancer, and the governments are investing in infrastructure to provide better cancer care. There is a trend towards the use of newer treatment options such as immunotherapy and precision medicine, as well as more involvement from the private sphere and greater partnerships with international organisations.
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