The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

"I do this job to help people. Being a surgeon is a technical exercise, but for me, it's literally one person helping another. The ability of one human to help another human is, I think, one of the most beautiful things in the world." "Most of my patients are people I would consider to be friends. I know their families, and they update me with life events. "It means something to me when I get a postcard from somebody who's climbing up the base camp of Everest, or who's now able to jump off a cliff somewhere in the Greek islands. I feel as though I've contributed to them being able to do that. "When they send a picture of their grandson, or the wedding of their daughter, I feel part of that. That's what makes it worthwhile. " If you've been watching #SuperSurgeons, you will have seen Mr Rasheed in action alongside our skilled colleagues in our Theatre Department. Our multidisciplinary teams are among the best in the world and our patients benefit from their world-leading expertise. Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed is one of the only surgeons in the UK using the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot to perform colorectal cancer surgery. He specialises in primary, locally advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer. You can read more about Mr Rasheed's career, what he enjoys most about working at The Royal Marsden and the importance of early diagnosis on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3Y36J0X #colorectalcancer #cancersurgeon #surgeon

Following his appearance in Channel 4's Super Surgeons, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Mr Myles Smith, was interviewed by Miriam O'Callaghan on Ireland's national radio station, #RTÉ Radio 1. Mr Smith details the specialised training he undertook in Ireland and Canada and discusses the intricate surgeries he leads at The Royal Marsden alongside our multidisciplinary teams. Catch up on their conversation here > https://bit.ly/3VWQMGR #surgicaloncology #SuperSurgeons

July is #SarcomaAwarenessMonth and we're joining the global cancer care and research community in raising awareness about this rare and often overlooked group of cancers. Sarcoma is very rare, making up less than 2% of all cancers diagnosed in the UK each year. Our Sarcoma Unit is one of the largest soft-tissue sarcoma units in Europe, recognised worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating soft-tissue sarcomas. If you've been watching #SuperSurgeons, you will have seen some of the innovative surgery we perform on complex #sarcoma cases. You can read more about our Sarcoma Unit and the ways we support patients on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3OZZak0

Happy 76th birthday to the NHS! 🎂 We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff and volunteers, past and present for making The Royal Marsden what it is today. Our organisation continues to make a lasting impact on the NHS – none of which would be possible without the dedication of our staff. From our cooks to clinicians, managers to mental health nurses, and pharmacists to physiotherapists — thank you for everything you do, every day 💕

Have you been watching #SuperSurgeons on Channel 4? 👀 📺 When our patients wake up from their surgery they are under the care of our wonderful Recovery Unit. The Recovery Unit is an essential but lesser-known department who support people in the vital moments after their surgery and before they return to the wards to see their loved ones. Here, members of the team share their insights into the ways in which they care for patients, ensuring they recover safely and comfortably from their operation. Lovelie Sio, a Senior Staff Recovery Nurse, explains: "Being a recovery nurse is about advocating for patients when they are at their most vulnerable. It is a big responsibility. "My job is about being a kind and reassuring presence and – importantly – ensuring people are safely transferred to the wards where they can be reunited with their loved ones. "It is an extremely rewarding job – we care for patients as they come round from anaesthesia by managing their pain and comfort levels and regularly monitoring their vital signs." Tina Kitcher, Theatre Practice Educator and Sister, says: "It is very disorienting having general anaesthetic, so I always make sure each patient is gently reassured as to where they are and what the time is once they wake up. "For some people, being in recovery can be the first time they allow themselves the opportunity to have an emotional release. "We are conscious that not only have our patients undergone surgery, they have also received a cancer diagnosis and are undergoing a particularly difficult chapter in their lives. “Patients can talk to us about how they are feeling. This can be an ideal opportunity to suggest whether they would consider speaking to our psychological services or to speak to their clinical nurse specialist.” Read more insights from our Recovery Team on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3Hhxrcl #SuperTeam #SuperSurgeons #cancerhospital #NHS

🥇 Last month, we launched the UK's first robotic genome testing facility for cancer patients with our partner Automata - a leading automation company powering automation in life sciences labs. This innovative installation will double our genetic testing capacity and expand the range of tests we perform within our existing lab space. 🔬 How does the technology work? Through Automata’s LINQ platform, sample pathways for saliva, tissue biopsies, blood and bone marrow are being automated. LINQ is a ‘smart’ laboratory bench that houses and connects equipment using robotic and digital technology. Equipped with six robotic arms, the specialist cancer centre’s installation will substantially increase the throughput of the cancer testing lab without compromising on accuracy. It will primarily test for mutations in the BRCA genes, which can impact risk of various cancers including breast and ovarian. 📈 What impact will this have? With increased capacity thanks to automation, we will not only be able to process more somatic tests but also launch new genetic – or cancer germline - testing. This type of genomic testing identifies inherited genetic changes that can increase risk of cancer and, for patients with the disease, can also be used to identify the right treatments. Patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond will benefit from increased access to genomic testing, which can help: - identify potential risk of cancer - diagnose the disease - and personalise treatments. By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, it will also give laboratory technologists and scientists more time for vital development work. Read more about this exciting new facility on our website: https://bit.ly/3x2B1G4

We have been celebrating #LoveAdmin Week - a week dedicated to recognising, supporting and thanking all of our administrative workforce. We are so proud of all our administrative staff whose vital contributions to the Trust ensures that our patients receive the very best care at every point of their Royal Marsden journey. Highlights from the week include the launch of our new Administrative Competency Framework which will play an important role in supporting career development. During #LoveAdmin Week, colleagues were also able to choose from a range of skills development workshops and activities. From developing interview skills to painting classes, the week's itinerary had something for everyone. Thank you to all of our admin staff 💙

What is it like to make decisions as a cancer surgeon? In Episode 1 of #SuperSurgeons, we see Professor Andy Hayes lead a cutting-edge surgery on his patient Anthea that required extensive, multidisciplinary planning. He said: "For all my patients, I am responsible for meticulously planning the approach to surgery which balances the pressing need to remove cancer in a comprehensive way – that means it is not going to regrow – while protecting the healthy tissue around it." "As a consultant cancer surgeon, I am always working with fine margins. For every case I lead, I am always thinking about the delicate balance between risk versus reward. "Overall, I think I would I call myself a cautious risk-taker. I think you have to be as a cancer surgeon because, more than anyone, your patients will ask you if we have tried everything. "This job requires tenacity because, if you recommend something new or innovative, you must be able to back yourself and the decisions you took to get to that point. Pushing boundaries is a huge driver; when you are able to make a difference to someone who thought their options had run out, it is hugely rewarding - both personally and professionally." You can read Andy's full blog about making decisions as a cancer surgeon on our website here: https://bit.ly/3VIF2I1 #SuperSurgeons #cancer #nhs

While many across the nation will pause this evening to watch the football, we know that cancer doesn’t stop for anything. 📺 Episode 2 of #SuperSurgeons: A Chance at Life is on @channel4 at 9pm tonight. Wonderhood Studios The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

HRH Prince William, Prince of Wales has been the President of The Royal Marsden since May 2007, a position previously held by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. We wish you a very happy birthday!