Blogs

Blogs

ASCOconnection.org is a forum for the exchange of views on topical issues in the field of oncology. The views expressed in the blogs, comments, and forums belong to the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Please read the Commenting Guidelines.

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Like many other readers of ASCOconnection.org, I was inspired by ASCO president Sandra Swain’s blogs on “Women in Oncology.” Those blogs and the recent publication of...
As an oncologist who also runs a sexual health clinic for women treated (or under treatment), I am discovering that my perspective on both issues of cancer treatment (and survival) and life after cancer (and quality of life) is somewhat unique. I am conscious of how difficult it is to bring up...
Two weeks ago, I presented Yale Surgical Grand Rounds focused on “Cost and Quality in Cancer Care.” Amidst the talks in Washington regarding our unsustainable health care spending, and provisions of the Affordable Care Act rapidly taking hold, it seemed appropriate to start to critically evaluate...
By Purvish M. Parikh, MD, DNB, FICP, PhD, ECMO, CPI, MBA The cancer menace is really causing a major problem in South Asia. The number of patients now willing to come forward for treatment as well as the actual incidence is increasing. Combined with increased life expectancy, this means the...
I recently saw a new patient with advanced cancer in the intensive care unit (ICU). She had been treated with multiple lines of therapy at other cancer centers. While she already had an oncologist, I was called in to help the ICU team with any oncologic issues. There were no acute cancer problems...
It will soon be spring and that means it’s time to start planning your ASCO Annual Meeting experience. Our cover story will help you do just that with a sneak preview of the...
In a previous life, I spent several years in the budget office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, working on Medicare budgets.
In March 2002, the Institute of Medicine found overwhelming evidence that racial and ethnic minorities suffer disparities in health care and concluded that the real challenge lies not in debating whether disparities exist, but in developing and implementing strategies to reduce and eliminate them....
An email was waiting for me one morning from my wonderful nurse, Laura. "Very sad day," it said in the subject line. I opened the email quickly upon receiving it (we had just recovered from a northeast blizzard, after all) and read that one of my patients had died. This age-old dilemma again made...
By Bruce J. Roth, MD, Member, 2013 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium News Planning Team Chair, ASCO’s Cancer Communications Committee
Recently I was asked to think about the ethical aspects of health information technology (HIT), which I confess, is not a subject I had given much thought to before. After all, what could be unethical about such an obvious example of manifest destiny?
Several months ago, I posted a blog on Women in Oncology and to my delight, it really captured the attention of a number of readers. It seems that there is a real interest on the part of...
One of the toughest situations in oncology is the discussion about next steps, particularly when it comes to treatment of recurrent or metastatic disease. I believe very much that it is realistic to offer a patient the hope of cancer as a “chronic disease,” that treatment can result in disease...
The Journal of Oncology Practice (JOP) is in its eighth year of publication and has remained focused on presenting data-oriented articles highlighting issues related to the mechanisms of oncology care delivery.
There is a lot we do not learn in medical school. Much of that added education comes when you rise to a position of management or governance in a practice. Plenty of business publications will tell you that you get the activity you incent for. Many times we do not recognize what the true incentives...
I have been asked several times why I blog and how I find the time to do it. Like some of my colleagues (virtual and real), I blog because it’s cathartic for me and in some small way, I’d like to believe I am promoting a more honest discussion among peers by participating in a forum that allows...
A few months ago I took my then 17-year-old daughter to the Operating Room with me. I had a full day of surgery and she wanted to observe. She’s not really interested in being a doctor, but she is interested in seeing what surgery is all about, and (maybe) seeing how her mother spends her days. It...
A feeling of introspection always marks the end of the year for me. Perhaps it is because of medicine and of oncology—but, as January approaches, I am cognizant of time and how precious it truly is. I find myself reminiscing about the year through photographs (with the help of iPhoto, I have them...

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