I am Suresh Rambaran, one of the many Caribbean nationals, who were recruited in the early 70s, to train as a nurse and work in the NHS.
I started my State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) training at Birch Hill Hospital, Lancashire in 1972 and qualified in 1974. I worked at my training hospital until 1977.
My real passion was to specialise in Oncology (cancer) nursing care, therefore, I moved from Birch Hill Hospital to The Royal Marsden Hospital in London where I undertook the Oncology Nursing Course and later became a State Registered Nurse (SRN).
In 1992 I was appointed to Cancer BACKUP as the UK’s first Black and Ethnic Minority Cancer Information Specialist (CIS).
In 2004, as part of my professional development, I decided to move into the specialist area of Prostate Cancer and joined The Prostate Cancer Charity as a Specialist Nurse. My role included working on their Support & Information Helpline, answering calls from a variety of people who are diagnosed, concerned or affected by prostate cancer or prostate problems. My role was extended to include outreach work among Black African and Black Caribbean men who have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Over 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK. Although cancer affect men from different backgrounds, Black men are at high risk as 1 in 4 will develop prostate cancer compared to 1 in 8 white men. There is a low cancer awareness among BAME communities, as well as a low uptake of cancer screening while cancer is still a taboo subject.
I give thanks to God for my 40 years of experience in cancer nursing and extensive experience in cancer information through my work with the NHS as well as voluntary/charity sectors such as Cancerlink, Prostate Cancer UK, Macmillan and Orchid. Throughout my career, I have been championing for hospitals and other health facilities to improve their patient service provisions, making them culturally appropriate and sensitive to meet the needs of the BAME patients’ religion, customs and cultural practices.
In 2013 I was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for my work and contributions within the NHS and voluntary and charity sectors.
Although I am now retired from fulltime work, I continue to work on a freelance basis for Orchid Male Cancer Charity. In addition, I give cancer and prostate awareness talks to different community groups, as well as conducting male cancer awareness road-shows throughout the UK. Often people from the BAME community contact me for advice on their cancer treatment options and I provide support to them during their cancer journey.
My talks are to inform and empower men about their prostate cancer risk and encourage them to go to their GP for a prostate check which they are entitled to under the Prostate Risk Management Programme. My presentations include prostate risk factors, tests and investigations which are carried out.
I am a member of St. James’ Church, Clapham where I have worshipped for the last five years and one of their Deanery Synod Representatives. Prior to this, I attended St. Margaret’s Church, Streatham Hill for 15 years before its closure where I served as a churchwarden for 7 years.
My parents were of different faiths and growing up in Trinidad I attended both Christian and Hindu services. I attended a Christian school and decided to embrace the Christian faith. However, during my 20s and 30s I only attended church occasionally but following my marriage and the birth of my two children, I took a more proactive role in church.
Within the church I am very passionate about BAME inclusiveness through all church activities, and I have taken an active role to ensure church diversity. I am passionate about raising cancer awareness especially within the BAME communities and the church as a whole. Also, I am passionate about facilitating cancer awareness talks and other related issues, such as, ‘End of Life’ forward planning, making a will, finance planning and funeral plans.
I feel, as a Health Professional, that God has called me to use my cancer knowledge and expertise to provide information, care, support and empower people. I pray that God will allow me to continue this work both in the church and in our communities.
