Challenging the Status Quo: Dr. Bishal Gyawali’s Mission to Reform Global Cancer Care

Thu, 06/12/2025 - 12:37

Department of Oncology, Queen’s University | June 2025

In the high-stakes world of oncology, where innovation often equates to new treatments and big pharmaceutical investments, Dr. Bishal Gyawali has gained recognition by asking a deceptively simple question: Is this actually helping the patient?

A medical oncologist and researcher at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Dr. Gyawali has earned three major accolades this year. He was named a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO), recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 in Cancer, and awarded the Yvonne Award in the category of “Challenging the Status Quo”. Together, the honors underscore his impact not only as a clinician and academic, but also as a reformer who is reshaping how the global oncology community evaluates progress.

From Nepal to Kingston

Born and trained in Nepal, Dr. Gyawali initially envisioned a career in pediatrics. But the emotional toll of caring for seriously ill infants led him to reconsider. In a reflection both poetic and pragmatic, he looked for another population that embodied the vulnerability and purity he had admired in children and found it in those nearing the end of life. At the time, Nepal lacked a formal oncology department. Determined to fill that gap, he pursued training abroad—first in Japan, where he earned his PhD, and later at Harvard University, where he completed a fellowship in cancer policy. His ability to adapt, including achieving fluency in Japanese, reflects a broader trait: a relentless pursuit of tools to improve patient care, regardless of discipline or border.

A Movement Takes Shape

Throughout his clinical training, Dr. Gyawali became increasingly concerned by the disconnect between what was being published in major journals and what he was observing in real-life patient outcomes. In some cases, high-profile cancer drugs failed to deliver the promised results, raising concerns about the standards of clinical trial design, reporting, and interpretation.

That realization led to a new chapter in his career, one grounded not in bench science, but in accountability. In 2023, alongside colleague Dr. Christopher Booth, Dr. Gyawali co-founded Common Sense Oncology (CSO), a global initiative that now includes more than 3,000 members. The movement seeks to reform the cancer ecosystem by focusing on three pillars: how evidence is generated, how it is interpreted, and how it is communicated.

The initiative is driven by a belief that interventions should be judged by their ability to meaningfully improve survival or quality of life. Through policy work, patient engagement, and evidence-based tools for interpreting clinical trials, CSO is already engaging with regulators such as the FDA, Health Canada, and the EMA to strengthen the foundations of cancer care.

This body of work was central to Dr. Gyawali’s selection for the Top 40 Under 40 in Cancer, which recognizes rising leaders across clinical, academic, and policy domains. His inclusion reflects a growing appreciation for work that prioritizes systemic change and patient outcomes, not just new treatments.

Recognition in a Field That Often Looks the Other Way

The FASCO designation, awarded by the world’s leading oncology society, acknowledges exceptional service and impact within the ASCO community. Dr. Gyawali has served on several committees—including Health Equity and International Affairs—while mentoring oncologists around the globe and contributing to editorial boards. He is the first-ever recipient of the FASCO title from both Queen’s University and Nepal.

While deeply honored, he views the award as recognition for a kind of work that is often overlooked: implementation science, policy reform, and truth-seeking. His contributions challenge institutions and industries that are heavily invested, financially and reputationally, in promoting treatments that don’t always benefit patients. It’s not the kind of work that typically earns the spotlight, but this year, it did.

Challenging the Status Quo

r. Gyawali’s selection for the Yvonne Award in the “Challenging the Status Quo” category affirms his role as a disruptive voice in oncology, one unafraid to question tradition, guidelines, or commercial narratives. Through papers, public lectures, social media, and educational videos, he critically examines clinical trials and calls attention to flaws in drug approval and reimbursement systems. His influence lies in his ability to make complex issues understandable and actionable for clinicians, policymakers, and patients alike.

His message is simple: if a treatment doesn’t meaningfully extend life or improve it, then it deserves scrutiny—not celebration.

The Scientist as Truth-Seeker

Rather than anchoring his work in fixed ideas, Dr. Gyawali centers it on evolving evidence. He is vocal about the dangers of becoming too attached to any single narrative—whether in medicine or public health—and emphasizes the importance of reassessing beliefs as new data emerges. His policy-focused approach relies not only on academic expertise but also on public engagement and advocacy, especially in an era flooded with misinformation.

What Gyawali has a particular problem with is silence in the face of misinformation. Whether correcting media narratives about a public figure’s cancer diagnosis or challenging overzealous screening guidelines, he sees public communication as a vital part of his role. From blog posts and YouTube videos to academic editorials, he has consistently exposed weaknesses in how new cancer treatments are tested, marketed, and adopted.

Through this commitment to transparency and dialogue, Dr. Gyawali exemplifies the role of a scientist not just as a researcher, but as a vigilant guardian of truth in healthcare.

A Future Focused on Impact

Looking ahead, Dr. Gyawali envisions a larger role for Common Sense Oncology in shaping global cancer policy. He hopes the movement will continue to provide mentorship, influence regulatory standards, and promote critical thinking among a new generation of oncologists.

His advice to young clinicians is consistent with his guiding philosophy: “First, be a good human being. Then, always ask—will this help the patient?” In an era when healthcare can lose sight of its most basic purpose, Dr. Bishal Gyawali stands out not only for challenging the system, but for reminding it of its soul.

To learn more about Common Sense Oncology and to become a member, visit: commonsenseoncology.org

Dr. Guywali at 40 Under 40 in Cancer 2025 Dr. Guywali inducted as a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) at 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Dr. Guywali at the 2025 Yvonne Award

Challenging the Status Quo: Dr. Bishal Gyawali’s Mission to Reform Global Cancer Care

Challenging the Status Quo: Dr. Bishal Gyawali’s Mission to Reform Global Cancer Care

From Nepal to Kingston

A Movement Takes Shape

Recognition in a Field That Often Looks the Other Way

Challenging the Status Quo

The Scientist as Truth-Seeker

A Future Focused on Impact

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