Annapurna Trek: A Mission Trip to Nepal for Advancing Cancer Equity

Introduction: The Annapurna Trek for Cancer Equity

Have you ever watched a cancer patient living in a low-resource setting whose world crumbled after receiving a diagnosis—before they even had a chance to fight? The Annapurna trek is about more than just reaching the summit—it is about breaking barriers in global cancer care.

The Global Burden of Cancer and Nepal's Challenges

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally due to a lack of awareness, education on prevention and early detection strategies, and limited access to care. Nepal faces a significant share of this cancer burden disproportionate to high-income countries.

In 2022, Nepal had an estimated 22,000 new cancer cases and nearly 14,700 deaths. Studies show that in Nepal, 1 in every 14 men and 1 in 13 women is at risk of developing cancer. Similarly, 1 in 28 men and 1 in 33 women die of cancer before age 75. Many of the cancers prevalent in Nepal, such as lung, stomach, oral, breast, and cervix cancer, are preventable and treatable when caught early. These numbers are alarming and call for immediate action.

Binaytara's Mission to Bridge Cancer Care Gaps

To bridge the gap in cancer care and raise awareness about solving the dire situation in southern Nepal, Binaytara is organizing a trek to Annapurna Base Camp. A total of 12 participants, including Binaytara’s co-founder, Dr. Binay Shah and the chief development officer, Justin Marquart, will be embarking on a 68-mile trek and reaching an elevation of 4,130 meters (13,550 feet). They will arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 9th, 2025, to raise awareness about the disparities cancer patients face in underserved communities and to connect with the locals.

Trek Details: Route, Participants, and Objectives

Annapurna is a principal mountain mass in the Himalayas, in north-central Nepal. It is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 26,545 feet above sea level. The trek begins on March 12th with a drive from Pokhara to Nayapul Trailhead, followed by a 4-hour trek to Ghandruk. On March 13th, the journey continues from Ghandruk to Chhomrong Village, involving approximately 5 hours of trekking through forests and across suspension bridges. A 5-hour trek from Chhomrong across the Chhomrong Khola River to Dovan will be completed on March 14th. On March 15th, the group treks from Dovan to Deurali in about 4 hours, with an option to continue to Machapuchare Base Camp. March 16th involves a 2-4 hour trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). Finally, on March 17th, the group descends from ABC and treks for roughly 6 hours back to Sinwa Village. The next day, the group will trek for 3 hours to Jinu Dada, then drive back to Pokhara for a final group dinner. The following day, some participants will be either heading home or to Janakpur to visit the Binaytara Cancer Center and its new hospital construction site.

Symbolism of the Trek: Overcoming Healthcare Inequities

The physical challenge of this trek symbolizes the effort required to overcome healthcare inequities. Bridging the gap in cancer care is essential to transforming societies and giving patients the chance to realize their full potential—to reach their own summit.

Fundraising Initiatives: Compassionate Care and Nurse Training

Trekkers are fundraising for the Compassionate Care Fund and Nurse Training Program. The former aims to fund patients to receive reduced or free treatment at the Binaytara Cancer Center, while the latter funds nurses to train at nationally recognized cancer centers so they can provide the best levels of care.

Participant Spotlight: Dr. Ying Liu's Motivation

One of the trekkers, Dr. Ying Liu, an associate professor and board-certified OB/GYN at University of Washington, expressed her motivation to join this fundraiser. She noted, “I believe a big part of cancer care is prevention. Hospitals focus on treatment, but for gynecologists, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. In developed countries with more resources, we do Pap smears and vaccinations, so the chances of developing cervical cancer are very low. But in low-resource settings, like parts of Nepal, it’s unfair. Women there work just as hard—maybe even harder—yet they suffer from a cancer that is easily preventable. That makes me really sad because prevention isn’t difficult. If women at different stages of life could receive even small amounts of medical attention, their quality of life and lifespan could improve significantly.”

Pre-Trek Activities: Health Insurance Strategy Meeting

Before the trek begins on March 10, Dr. Shah will join key stakeholders, including healthcare policy experts, bureaucrats, cancer doctors, politicians, and patient advocates, to identify actionable strategies for improving health insurance in Nepal.

Post-Trek Events: 7th International Cancer Congress and Health Camp

After the trek, Binaytara will host its 7th International Cancer Congress in Janakpurdham, Nepal. This meeting aims to improve cancer care in South Asia by educating oncologists on the latest innovations in cancer treatment and their applications in the local context. Renowned faculty from the United States, India, and Nepal will be in attendance. Following the conference, a health camp will be held on March 23 to improve cancer care access and awareness, with a particular focus on preventable cancers like cervical cancer.

Healthcare providers and patients at a Binaytara health camp in 2022.

Addressing Geographic Disparities in Cancer Care

In an interview with Dr. Shah, he noted the similarities in geographic disparities in cancer care access between the U.S. and Nepal. He remarked, “If you live in states like Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, or Maine, accessing specialized cancer care can be challenging due to the limited number of cancer doctors and treatment centers. Additionally, many cancer centers in these areas lack access to clinical trials, making it harder for patients to enroll in potentially life-saving studies. When highly specialized care is needed, patients often have to travel to major cities like Seattle or Boston. A similar situation exists in Nepal. The country has only about 40 cancer doctors for a population of 30 million, and most of them are concentrated in Kathmandu. This creates stark disparities in access to care. For example, Madhesh Province, the largest province in Nepal with a population of over 6 million, does not have a single cancer doctor.”

Binaytara's Efforts in the United States: SCHD25 Conference

In addition to its international efforts to bridge gaps in access to care, Binaytara is organizing one of the few conferences in the United States that directly addresses cancer disparities: the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities (SCHD25) in Seattle from April 25-27, 2025. This premier annual event connects research and clinical practice by offering practical strategies to improve cancer care delivery and outcomes. Topics will range from leveraging AI to promote cancer health equity to understanding the role of policy in fostering equitable cancer care. SCHD25 brings together global and community-minded professionals to address the complex factors driving disparities in cancer treatment and outcomes.

Global Initiatives: Advancing Cancer Care in Low-and Middle-Income Countries

Similarly, Binaytara is leading a major initiative to bring state-of-the-art cancer care to low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Shah emphasized that health literacy among the general population in these regions is very low, making it even more difficult to establish an effective healthcare system. “It takes a tremendous effort to build a healthcare program that is not only impactful but also culturally sensitive,” he noted.

Conclusion: The Collective Journey Towards Cancer Equity

The Annapurna Trek is a powerful reminder of the challenges of building a cancer hospital in an underserved region like southern Nepal. In many ways, this effort is even more daunting than climbing a mountain. But the trek is also a reminder that, even though cancer is a massive challenge, each of us can do our part to impact someone.

Ultimately, whether it is trekking the mountains of Nepal or walking the halls of a conference, every step counts in the fight for cancer equity.

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