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.
One of the hardest jobs in oncology is to deliver bad news—like telling someone that their disease is metastatic and no longer curable. In such a situation, I try to be as direct as possible—not to mince words—yet, at the same time, not to deprive anyone of hope. Still, I often wonder what...
I was recently appointed the Assistant Director of the Yale Cancer Center with the portfolio of Diversity/Disparities. While I’m not sure I’m the most qualified for this, it has gotten me thinking a lot about diversity, disparities, and what it means to achieve health equity. Too often, I think...
The controversy that has erupted regarding the Susan G. Komen foundation and recent decisions about funding Planned Parenthood has been hard to miss. As a specialist in women's cancers and given my general interest in women's health, I've been fascinated by this dialogue online—on message boards,...
When I tell people I am an oncologist, I usually get the same response: "That must be so depressing! How do you stand it?" I remember having members of my own family ask me that way back when I was a medical resident as I made the decision to enter oncology. Now that I am in a position where I...
Every once in a while I get an opportunity to speak at a meeting in which oncologists are not the primary audience. Of course, it is always to speak on either gynecologic- or breast-cancer-specific issues, but I always welcome the opportunity to educate a non-oncology audience about what we can do...
I just finished reading George’s recent post on Evelyn Lauder, who recently passed away from ovarian cancer, and am still stirred by the passing of Patrick Swayze from pancreatic cancer and Elizabeth Edwards from...
I always wonder whether we have our goals of care prioritized properly when we are caring for our cancer patients. I have many reasons to believe that we may not be doing enough to save every life that can be saved, starting with the work setting being named erroneously as a “Healthcare...
I was recently interviewed about breast cancer in young women, spurred by the recent disclosure that Giuliana Rancic, of E! Entertainment News, was diagnosed with breast cancer. It struck me as...
Some have argued that there is an innate conflict between faith and science. I am not sure that is so (at least for me)...Not only do the two seem to co-exist; but to my mind, they may even be synergistic.
I recently gave Grand Rounds at Women & Infants’ Hospital--a women’s specialty hospital that provides some of the best care for obstetrics/gynecology in the region. It is also the home to my specialized program for women with breast and gynecologic malignancies. I spoke on delivering bad news...
There seems to be an impending shortage of oncologists. We’ve known this for a while, and while potential solutions to transition patients to primary care providers have been proposed, there seems to be a looming shortage of them as well.
I’ve often pondered the name of this site . . . “connections” seems to be a buzz word in this era of social networking and electronic media. ASCO has “ASCO Connection”, Yale’s Cancer Center has an e-Newsletter called “...
Last week, at Yale Surgical Grand Rounds, I heard one of the best lectures I’ve heard in a while. It was given by my good friend, Jeff Matthews, who is currently Chair of Surgery at University of Chicago. His Samuel Clark Harvey Memorial lecture, entitled “Truth and ...
A few nights ago, I was invited to speak to the Board of Directors and Major Donors of the Breast Cancer Alliance. A hush came over the crowd as I described the real advances we are making in breast cancer research and treatment – how we are now able to sequence the human genome, determine genes...
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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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