Binaytara Foundation Cancer Center, Nepal and Binaytara Foundation, USA are proud to announce that Dr. Rubina Suwal, our head and neck onco-surgeon, has been awarded the 2023 Conquer Cancer International Innovation Grant from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Dr. Suwal’s research project titled “Effectiveness of a community screening program for early detection of oral cancers in Nepal” will be conducted over the next one year in Nepal.

Dr. Suwal’s research focuses on addressing the high incidence and mortality rates of oral cancers in Nepal. Early detection of oral cancer is crucial in improving survival rates, and Dr. Suwal’s study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based screening program in detecting oral cancers at an early stage in Nepal. The program will involve training community health workers to conduct oral cancer screenings and refer patients for further diagnosis and treatment.

“This grant will allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based oral cancer screening program in Nepal, which has the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients,” said Dr. Suwal. “Our ultimate goal is to develop a sustainable model for early detection and treatment of oral cancers in Nepal that can be replicated in other low-resource settings.”

The Conquer Cancer International Innovation Grant is awarded to researchers who propose innovative approaches to improving cancer care in low and middle-income countries. The grant is supported by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO and is intended to provide funding for novel projects that have the potential to transform cancer care in resource-limited settings.

“We are thrilled to see Dr. Suwal receive this prestigious grant from ASCO,” said Dr. Binay Shah, President of the Binaytara Foundation. “Her research has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of patients with oral cancer in Nepal and beyond. We are proud to support her work and look forward to the results of this important study.”

“Dr. Suwal’s research is key to improving the outcomes of oral cancer patients in Nepal and we are looking forward to seeing the results of this study. This screening model could be applied to other resource-poor areas and have an impact on communities around the world.” Added Dr. Siddhartha Yadav, Co-Chair of the Binaytara Foundation Education Academy.

The Binaytara Foundation Cancer Center is a cancer hospital in Janakpurdham, a city in southeast Nepal. It was established by the Binaytara Foundation in 2018 to meet the cancer care needs of more than six million residents of Madhesh Province (then province 2) who were forced to travel more than 8-hours by bus for cancer care at the nearest cancer hospital. The BTFCC provides cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care services.

The Binaytara Foundation is a global cancer non-profit dedicated to improving access to cancer care in the United States and abroad through education and innovative program models that break down barriers and advance best practices in hematology and oncology. Binaytara Foundation’s major projects include hematology and oncology conferences, and the establishment of a cancer hospital in Nepal.

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization for physicians and oncology professionals caring for people with cancer.