Latest Blogs

Guest Commentary
Nov 28, 2023
Women Mentoring Women: A Thank You Note to My Two Heroes
Dr. Tara Rajendran honors two women who, through their kindness and thoughtful attention, shaped her professional path from an early age.
Linda R. Duska, MD, MPH
Nov 20, 2023
The Potential of AI in Clinical Research
"We all need to stay informed and engaged on the topic of AI in order to be the best advocates for ourselves, our profession, and our patients."
International Perspectives
Nov 03, 2023
Cancer, Conflict, and Catastrophe: A Cry for Help From Sudan, a Country at War
Millions of people have been affected by the war in Sudan, and the outlook for patients with cancer is particularly dire. Dr. Nabeeha Karadawi, Dr. Salma Awad Elkareem Ali Mohamed, and Nagham Ali outline the current situation and call for immediate international aid.
Abdul-Rahman Jazieh, MD, MPH
Oct 24, 2023
Should Oncologists Continue to Be Ambivalent About Dietary Supplement Use by Their Patients?
If we believe that dietary supplements are active compounds—and many are—then we should deal with them as medications and advise our patients accordingly.
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Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO

Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO, is a professor of medicine and professor of surgery at Brown University, director of the Pelvic Malignancies Program and Hematology-Oncology Outpatient Clinics at Lifespan Cancer Institute, and director of Medical Oncology and the Sexual Health First Responders Clinic at Rhode Island Hospital. He also serves as the head of community outreach and engagement of the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University. Dr. Dizon has served as past chair of ASCO's Social Media Working Group and the Cancer Communications Committee. In addition to his regular column on ASCOconnection.org, which has been honored with APEX awards in 2013 and 2014, he is a blogger for The Oncologist and a section editor of Gynecologic Oncology at UpToDate. Dr. Dizon is a member of the JCO Oncology Practice Editorial Board, and editor in chief of the ASCO Educational Book. Follow Dr. Dizon across social media channels @drdonsdizon. 

Disclosure.

Apr 17, 2018
Who Enters a Trial?: Patient Care and Equipoise
Clinical trials are the pathway to better treatments, better outcomes, and a future without cancer. We, as investigators, need to believe in them, and be willing to offer them to all patients who are eligible. 
Mar 22, 2018
Do We Need Another Trial?
A trial of aqueous lidocaine to manage painful intercourse for breast cancer survivors was a small study with a great magnitude of benefit. Do we need to wait for more data, or can we start applying these findings for our patients today?
Mar 20, 2018
February Break: A Working Vacation Isn’t Work-Life Balance
During a weeklong vacation, I made a point of being truly present with my family. What did I learn from unplugging? A lot, actually.
Mar 01, 2018
"Why Should I Stop?"
I was her doctor, and my job was to give my opinion, even if it could not be backed by any data, and then to respect hers. After all, there was only one person walking this road of cancer, and it was my job to make that road easier. 
2 Comments
Jan 30, 2018
“What Happens If…”: Navigating Decisions With the Curious Patient
There are patients who meet the diagnosis of cancer not with dread, but with curiosity, and sometimes their preferred treatment strategy is, "Let's just see what happens."  
2 Comments
Jan 17, 2018
What Makes a Good Doctor?
Each time I am asked to interview a candidate to help choose future medical students, residents, and fellows, the same question goes through my mind: What will make a good doctor?

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