Your cancer questions —
answered honestly.

Bring whatever you have — do not delay coming because documents are incomplete. In order of priority: biopsy/pathology report, scan reports with CD/USB images, list of all medications (including herbal and Ayurvedic), NHIF or insurance card, and a trusted family member. Photos of documents on your phone are accepted for initial review.

Urgent cases (rapidly growing tumours, obstruction, bleeding) are typically seen within 2 to 3 working days. Standard first appointments are usually within one week. The fastest path: WhatsApp your biopsy report to 9818-226237 before calling. This allows the team to triage your case and prepare — which often means a shorter, more productive first consultation.

Do not wait. Earlier staging = better outcomes. The correct response to a cancer diagnosis is immediate action, not weeks of gathering documents.

No referral is required. You can self-refer to KCC directly. Call 01-5091629, WhatsApp 9818-226237, or walk in. A referral letter is helpful but not a requirement and will not delay your appointment.

Most patients can eat a normal Nepali diet with modifications. Avoid grapefruit entirely throughout treatment — it genuinely interacts with several chemotherapy drugs. On infusion day, eat a light meal before attending; avoid heavy, fatty, or strongly spiced food. Dal, rice, and yoghurt are well tolerated by most patients.

During low blood count days (typically days 7–14 after infusion): avoid raw meat, raw fish, unpasteurised dairy, and unwashed raw vegetables. Well-cooked food is safe. See the Cancer Nutrition section for full guidance.

Tell your oncologist everything you are taking. Several herbal and Ayurvedic preparations — including widely used ones in Nepal — interact directly with chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs. Some reduce drug effectiveness. Some increase toxicity. Some affect liver function in ways that change dosing.

KCC oncologists will not dismiss or judge your use of complementary approaches. They will review what you are taking and advise on what can safely continue. The harm comes from secrecy — not from asking.

Call KCC on 01-5091629 or WhatsApp 9818-226237 before missing a session. Do not simply not attend. Chemotherapy cycles can be safely delayed 1–2 weeks if blood counts are low or if you are unwell — delayed cycles do not generally harm outcomes. Radiotherapy missed sessions are more significant and must be managed by your radiation oncologist.

Emergency: Fever above 38°C after chemotherapy — go to hospital immediately. This is not a missed appointment; it is a medical emergency.

Children are aware something is wrong before they are told. Secrecy creates anxiety; age-appropriate honesty reduces it. Use the word "cancer" — euphemisms create confusion and distrust later. Explain in concrete terms: "Baba has cancer. Doctors are giving him medicine to kill the cancer. Some days he will feel tired — that is normal and does not mean he is getting worse."

Reassure about what will not change: school, routines, who will be home. Give children something to do — helplessness is the hardest emotion. KCC's psychosocial team can provide guidance for specific ages and situations.

After treatment ends, surveillance continues. Typical schedule: every 3 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months for years 3–5, annually from year 5 onwards. Specific scans and blood tests depend on your cancer type.

All post-treatment follow-up is in Kathmandu — this is one of the major advantages of treating in Nepal rather than India, where follow-up appointments would require repeated flights. If you notice new symptoms between appointments, contact KCC immediately rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.

Yes, completely. All patient information at KCC is confidential under Nepal's Individual Privacy Act 2018. Your diagnosis will not be shared with your employer, family members you have not consented to inform, or insurers beyond what is required for your specific claim. If you have specific confidentiality concerns — for example, you do not want certain family members to know — raise this at your first visit and a clear instruction will be placed in your file.