Thalassery, Kerala: The unbearable pain experienced by children undergoing cancer treatment inspired a Kerala nurse to become a researcher — and her efforts have now earned her recognition through two prestigious international nursing fellowships.
G.N. Anjana, a staff nurse at the Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC), Thalassery, has been selected for two international fellowships offered in the field of childhood cancer care and nursing research.
A native of Koyilandy, Anjana began exploring ways to reduce one of the painful complications experienced by children receiving chemotherapy.
Research Focused on Chemotherapy-Related Mouth Ulcers
Some children undergoing chemotherapy develop painful ulcers and inflammation affecting the mouth, oesophagus and gastrointestinal tract. The condition can become so severe that children may struggle to eat or swallow normally.
Determined to find a practical way to reduce these complications, Anjana conducted research on methods to prevent chemotherapy-related oral ulcers and reduce their severity in children with cancer.
Her work earned her a fellowship associated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee, USA, one of the world’s leading institutions in childhood cancer research and treatment.
Nurse-Developed Oral Care Bundle Shows Promising Results
As a nurse, Anjana focused on a non-drug nursing intervention rather than medication-based experimental treatment.
She developed a specialised oral care bundle designed to improve mouth care among children undergoing chemotherapy.
The intervention was evaluated among approximately 202 children over a six-month period at the hospital.
The results were remarkable.
The occurrence of oral ulcers was found to have fallen by approximately 70%, while children who still developed the condition experienced reduced severity.
The intervention also reportedly reduced the need for feeding tubes.
Previously, around 12 out of every 100 children affected by the complication required tube feeding. Following implementation of the oral care programme, that number reportedly dropped to just two.
Second International Fellowship
Anjana has also been selected for another three-year international fellowship supported through the My Child Matters programme, associated with the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) and Foundation S – The Sanofi Collective.
The fellowship highlighted in the report is valued at approximately ₹16.7 lakh and focuses on strengthening the capabilities of nurses involved in childhood cancer care, particularly in developing and resource-constrained countries.
Anjana has achieved the rare distinction of being the only person from India selected for both international opportunities, according to the report.
Her achievement highlights the growing contribution of nurses not only in delivering bedside care but also in developing evidence-based interventions capable of improving patients’ quality of life.
From Staff Nurse to Nursing Researcher
Anjana completed her BSc Nursing from Government College of Nursing, Ernakulam, before pursuing her career in cancer care.
What began as a nurse’s concern after witnessing the suffering of young cancer patients has now developed into internationally recognised nursing research.
Her work demonstrates how nurse-led clinical research can translate everyday observations at the bedside into practical solutions that may significantly reduce the suffering of children undergoing cancer treatment.
