Cancer Centre London

30/07/2025

Welcome to another edition of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, where we celebrate the remarkable people behind the care at Icon Cancer Centre London.

Each week, we are proud to introduce one of the dedicated professionals who make a lasting impact on our patients and their families - sharing a glimpse into their role, their journey, and what inspires their commitment to cancer care. Recently, we featured Arun Jaganathan (aka Raddy). Today, we are excited to spotlight our next extraordinary colleague, Senior Therapy Radiographer Meghna Baby.

Meghna has been a valued part of CCL for three and a half years, bringing empathy, skill and strength to her role as a Therapy Radiographer.

Every day brings something different - and that’s exactly what she loves most. “From comforting a patient through a tough moment to assisting in care that can truly save lives… it’s not always easy, but I love what I do,” she says. “Working closely with patients reminds me how vital our roles are - not just in treatment, but in offering hope, strength and compassion when it’s needed most.”

Her sense of purpose shines through in every interaction, and she takes immense pride in the role she plays in patients’ lives. “It’s an honour to be part of their journey, offering care, expertise, and hope in their fight against cancer.”

One of the most touching reminders of her impact comes from patients who tell her, “Your smile brings comfort, hope and light to my toughest moment.” For her, those small moments - a kind word, a quiet smile - are what make the biggest difference. “No matter how busy the day gets, I’ll always make sure to keep smiling for my patients.”

When she’s not at work, Meghna loves to stay active with cycling, walking and tennis - and whenever she can, she feeds her love for travel and new adventures.

Her compassion, positivity, and unwavering dedication make her an inspiring part of the CCL team. Find out more about our team and the latest at Icon here: https://icongroup.global/en/. And for more about CCL visit https://iconcancercentre.co.uk/.

Icon Group

24/07/2025

It’s International Self-Care Day and we caught up with our Head of People UK, Hanna Mansell who gave her reflections on self-care:

“Today, on International Self-Care Day, we pause to reflect on the importance of looking after the one person we rely on most - ourselves.

At Cancer Centre London and Pharmaxo, we are privileged to care for others every day - patients, families, and one another. But compassionate care starts with self-compassion.

Whether you are a nurse on the move, a consultant or clinician, a manufacturer, PPO or Quality behind the scenes, driving a corporate service, or a leader paving the way, your wellbeing matters.

Self-care isn’t selfish - it’s essential. It is in the small pauses we take, the boundaries we honour, and the moments we reclaim for rest and reflection.

Within our workplaces we are committed to nurturing a culture where self-care is not an afterthought, but a practice we actively support. Because when we care for ourselves, we show up better for those who depend on us.

To our entire team: Thank you for the care you give - to our patients and to each other.”

How will you prioritise your self-care today, whether at work or at home? Let us know in the comments.

20/07/2025

🎧 Podcast Recommendation: "Exercise is Medicine"

If you haven’t discovered the Yes to Life CancerTalk podcast yet, this is a powerful episode to start with.

Hosted by our UK Chief Medical Officer, Dr Penny Kechagioglou, alongside Yes to Life Founder and Chairman Robin Daly MBE, this episode features Prof Robert Newton, a global leader in Exercise Oncology.

Prof Newton shares compelling insights from his work, noting:
“…What we’re seeing in hundreds of well-controlled trials is that exercise greatly improves quality of life for a patient and certainly appears to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy – we’re finally starting to see some really solid evidence around a direct causative effect of exercise increasing survival.”

A must-listen for anyone interested in cancer care, integrative medicine, or the life-changing power of movement.

Listen here: https://yestolife.org.uk/podcast_episode/episode-2-17-exercise-is-medicine/

16/07/2025

Welcome to the next instalment of our ‘meet the team’ series - a chance to spotlight the incredible people behind the care at Icon Cancer Centre London.

We are continuing to introduce the dedicated individuals who make a real difference every day, sharing what they do, why they do it, and why their role is incredibly important. Last week, we heard from our UK Physics Manager Rob Chaldecott. Today, we are excited to introduce you to our fantastic Principal Medical Physicist Arun Jaganathan (aka Raddy).

With over a decade at CCL, Arun Jagannathan, known affectionately as Raddy, brings precision and dedication to his role as Principal Medical Physicist.

Raddy ensures our radiotherapy equipment delivers treatment with sub-millimetre accuracy, focusing on quality assurance and safe radiation use. As a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) and Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS), he provides expert guidance to maintain the highest standards of safety and care.

He finds this role challenging but incredibly rewarding, stating, “Seeing patients walk away with a smile brings real purpose to the work.” Raddy is proud of the collaborative spirit and commitment to patient care at CCL, considering it a special place to work and grow.

Beyond his professional life, Raddy volunteers with Age UK and pursues his passion for mountaineering, which he finds both refreshing and recharging. Find out more about our team and the latest at Icon here: https://icongroup.global/en/. And for more about CCL visit https://iconcancercentre.co.uk/.

Icon Group

14/07/2025

Whether you're living with cancer, supporting a loved one, or simply in need of a moment to breathe – Maggie's Centres is there for you.

This July in their West London centre, they are offering a wide range of support groups and courses – both virtual and face-to-face – to help you feel stronger, more connected, and better supported, every step of the way. These include:

🧘‍♀️ Weekly Yoga Classes
🤝 Support Groups for various cancer types
👨‍👩‍👧 Friends & Family Groups
🎨 Family Days

See the website www.maggies.org for more information and to get in touch with their team about joining a group.

11/07/2025

The Wimbledon tennis finals take place here in our very own neighbourhood this weekend! Wimbledon embodies purpose, passion, and energy – qualities mirrored in our patient care. As the world watches the tennis giants, we continue our grand slam in cancer care: fast access, expert teams and heartfelt support. Find out more: https://iconcancercentre.co.uk

08/07/2025

Welcome back to our 'meet the team' series, where we shine a light on the incredible individuals who bring compassion, expertise, and dedication to Icon Cancer Centre London.

Each week for the next seven weeks, we are introducing you to a member of our outstanding team—sharing their story, their role, and what drives them to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. Last week, we kicked off our series with our Operations Manager Kelly Jenner. This week, we are delighted to introduce our next amazing team member, Rob Chaldecott.

Rob has made significant strides as Icon’s UK Physics Manager. With a background of 22 years in radiotherapy, he has recently focussed on optimising patient planning pathways and supporting Icon’s growth in the UK.

Rob is passionate about creating frameworks that improve patient outcomes and operational efficiencies, mentioning, “The work we do at CCL plays a critical role in shaping the patient journey through cancer care.”

One of his career highlights was the successful commissioning and early implementation of VMAT in 2015 – a testament to his commitment to advancing cancer treatment technologies.

More recently, Rob led a major provider to achieve 99% national compliance in Radiotherapy Quality Assurance, applying his expertise in workflow efficiency to ensure this critical work was completed seamlessly alongside day-to-day operations.

Outside of his professional realm, Rob is a champion in on-road RC car racing, with notable achievements on the world stage! Find out more about our team and the latest at Icon here: https://icongroup.global/en/. And for more about CCL visit https://iconcancercentre.co.uk/

Icon Group

01/07/2025

We’re proud to introduce the incredible team behind Icon Cancer Centre London. Over the next eight weeks, we’ll be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the passionate professionals who make a difference every day. Each week, you’ll meet one of our dedicated CCL colleagues and learn more about the vital roles they play. Today, we’re kicking off the CCL series with our inspiring Operations Manager, Kelly Jenner.

Kelly oversees the daily operations at CCL as the Operations Manager. Her role is pivotal in ensuring that the centre evolves and grows, making CCL a standout place for patient care. Kelly enjoys the dynamic nature of her role, and says, “No two days are the same; we are constantly evolving and growing together, which makes CCL an outstanding place to work.”

She is proud of the positive feedback from patients and consultants, which reflects the team’s hard work and dedication. Kelly finds inspiration in the collective achievements at CCL and is excited about the future investments and changes.

In her downtime, Kelly loves to travel, explore new cultures, and unwind with her loved ones. This year, she’s looking forward to European summer adventures in Malta, Ibiza and Kos. Find out more about our team and the latest at Icon here: https://icongroup.global/en/. And for more about CCL visit https://iconcancercentre.co.uk/

Icon Group

27/06/2025

It's World Wellbeing Week, and we caught up with our UK Chief Medical Officer, Dr Penny Kechagioglou who gave us her expert tips on looking after our precious wellbeing:

“This week marks World Wellbeing Week, and it’s prompted me to reflect on what wellbeing really means — not just as a healthcare professional, but as a human being navigating the balance between work, health, and personal life.

For many of us, wellbeing can feel like a moving target. But at its core, it’s about feeling well in body, mind, and spirit — and having the support around us to thrive, not just survive.

At Icon Cancer Centre – UK, we see every day how physical and mental health are deeply connected.

Remember, small practices like mindfulness, deep breathing, or using apps like Headspace or Calm can bring welcome moments of peace into a hectic day.

Human connection is one of the most powerful protectors of health too. Whether it’s chatting with a colleague or checking in with a friend, small moments of connection make a big difference. The BBC’s resources offer some great tips on building stronger social bonds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zc36fdm

World Wellbeing Week reminds us that good health also means the presence of joy, purpose, and connection."

So, what’s one thing you’ll do today to care for your wellbeing?

Let us know in the comments.

23/06/2025

🎉 News for cancer care in the UK!

We’re proud to share that Icon is investing in new, state-of-the-art Varian (a Siemens Healthineers company) technology to make world-class cancer treatment more accessible to patients across the country.

💛 For patients, this means:

✔️ Shorter treatment sessions
✔️ Greater comfort and accuracy
✔️ Access to advanced radiotherapy technologies

Together, we’re continuing to expand access to high-quality cancer care, close to home.



Learn more:

Icon Group and Varian are joining forces to revolutionize cancer care in the UK. Discover how their expanded partnership will bring cutting-edge technology and hope to patients nationwide.

19/06/2025

June marks Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the health challenges men face and encouraging early detection and treatment of diseases.

Men are often less likely to seek medical help or attend regular checkups, which can lead to health issues going unnoticed until they become serious. 40% of men visit the doctor only when symptoms become serious—or not at all—and 21% avoid checkups. Conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and mental health concerns disproportionately affect men—and many of these can be prevented or better managed with routine care and healthy lifestyle choices.

What you can do:
1. Schedule a checkup if you haven’t had one recently
2. Talk openly about physical and mental health with friends, family, and colleagues, or seek confidential support
3. Make small lifestyle changes—like improving diet, getting active, and reducing stress

This month, take a moment to check in on your health - or encourage the men in your life to do the same. Let’s support each other in breaking the silence around men’s health.

For more resources and support, please visit:

Men’s Health Forum - http://bit.ly/469p2VY
Men’s Health Hub - https://bit.ly/45wmtgz
Movember - https://bit.ly/3G2EzMO

05/06/2025

Congratulations to our partners next door at Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital on hitting this milestone and making a difference to peoples lives👏🏼

Like the team at Parkside Hospital, we are committed to ensuring that all men have timely access to specialist care. If you're worried - get checked! Early detection does indeed save lives.

We were saddened to hear about former US President Joe Biden’s recent diagnosis with advanced prostate cancer.

Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital is committed to ensuring that all men have timely access to specialist care.

✅ Our RAPID Access Prostate Pathway enables men with an elevated PSA level to be seen quickly and efficiently. This includes fast-tracked appointments with a consultant, high-quality prostate MRI scans and, if required, prompt prostate biopsies.

✅ We are also proud to champion minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer, using state-of-the-art robotic surgery. Our team has recently reached a significant milestone - having performed 100 robotic prostatectomies.

Mr Wissam Abou-Chedid, the Consultant Urological Surgeon who performed the 100th procedure, commented:

💬 “Robotic surgery allows us to treat prostate cancer effectively while offering patients excellent oncological outcomes, optimal preservation of function, and a rapid recovery.

I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside the fantastic team at Parkside - dedicated professionals who are passionate about delivering outstanding care to every patient.

I strongly encourage men across the UK to see their GP or a specialist for a simple PSA blood test, especially those over 50, or over 45 with a family history of prostate cancer.” 💬

Early detection saves lives. Don’t wait - get checked. 💚

More info about our RAPID access prostate clinic 🖱️➡️: https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/parkside/rapid-prostate-diagnosis