MSc Precision Cancer Medicine: A Surgeon's Experience

The MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine at the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology offers students a broad overview of the scientific and clinical disciplines involved in precision medicine. As a two-year, part-time, online course, the programme attracts applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including health professionals, bioinformaticians, statisticians, and scientists working in target discovery and drug development.

Ee Phui Kew, MBBS, who completed the MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine in 2022-2024, shares insights into the breadth of knowledge he gained from the course and how he has applied it in his clinical practice as a thoracic surgeon.

Can you tell us about your background?

I am a surgeon, specialising in cardiothoracic surgery. I obtained my medical degree (MBBS) from Imperial College London in 2013, with an intercalated BSc in Surgery and Anaesthesia. My interest is in thoracic oncology.

How did you hear about the MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine course and what made you decide to apply?

As a thoracic surgeon, thoracic oncology makes up a significant bulk of my work. Precision medicine has changed the landscape of cancer diagnosis and treatment in the last two decades. When I came across this MSc on the University of Oxford website, I saw this as an opportunity for me to further equip myself with the essential knowledge in precision cancer medicine to stay at the forefront of thoracic oncology.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

I really enjoyed the wide range of topics this course covers, as well as meeting course colleagues from different backgrounds. This MSc covers modules such as genetics and genomics, applied precision diagnostics, omics techniques, clinical bioinformatics, clinical trials, health economics and ethics. The course accommodates professionals from different areas, for example, geneticists, data scientists, pharmacists, physicians and surgeons, with a common goal of enhancing their knowledge and skills in precision cancer medicine. Interacting with course colleagues gave me the opportunity to develop a wide professional network.

As this is a distant learning part-time MSc, I particularly enjoyed the flexibility of managing my own study time, as I am working full time.

What were/are your next career steps after completing the MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine?

I applied the knowledge I have learned from this course and created a timely and relevant project for my dissertation. This dissertation has the potential to be implemented to the targeted lung cancer screening programme in the UK. I am pursuing its publication, as well as continuing to develop this research with the aim of applying it into real-world practice.

How has the MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine helped you to achieve your career goals?

This MSc has provided me with the knowledge and skills I need to advance my career in thoracic oncology. I can discuss lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in multi-disciplinary meetings, not only from the point of view of a surgeon, but also considering the latest developments in precision cancer medicine.

Would you recommend the course?

Yes, I would recommend this course for those who would like to pursue a career in precision cancer medicine. This MSc is suitable for those who have a full time or part time job, and don’t necessarily live in Oxford.

What is your top tip for students wanting to study here?

The course contains weekly content including online tutorials with group activities, so it is important to plan ahead. Having good time management skills, as well as being disciplined and consistent, are the key to succeeding in this course. The most important thing is to enjoy learning!

Anything else you want to add?

The residential week is the highlight of the MSc. It gave me the opportunity to experience student life at the University of Oxford, as well as meeting all my course colleagues in person. We all got on very well, and we have made excellent connections. I enjoyed meeting our course leaders and tutors, learning not only about their professional journeys, but also about how they balance their work and personal lives, resonating very much with my own experience as a surgeon engaged with academic pursuits.

The MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine delivers a comprehensive curriculum applicable across various fields, while allowing flexibility to accommodate professional commitments. As highlighted by Ee Phui Kew's experience, the programme offers a blend of academic depth, practical relevance, and professional networking opportunities with peers from diverse backgrounds.

For more information and application details, please visit the Graduate Admissions webpage.