The Doctor's Page

The two most frequently asked questions of me is why would I want to be a Pediatric Oncologist and isn't it depressing work? My response is quite simple, why would anyone want to do anything but be a Pediatric Oncologist and it is not depressing at all - but yes, we do have some difficult times emotionally. It is a fascinating and rewarding occupation - one that grows and changes on a yearly basis - a field that is still improving care, treatments and outcomes so fast that it is difficult to keep up on the most current information. We now cure over 60% of young people diagnosed with cancer - and in many types of cancer, the outlook is far greater than that.

My favorite part of being an oncologist is getting to know the patients and families over the years - watching young people grow and develop - watching children and young adults come in for follow-up, being cured of cancer, and making sure that they remain healthy. Basically a new field of medicine has been created - the care of survivors of childhood cancer. It is estimated by the year 2010 that one in every 250 young adults will be survivors of childhood cancer, a remarkable figure. I think one of our most important roles is to assure that these individuals remain healthy by having a healthy life style - what I mean by this is not smoking, eating properly, exercising, using sun screen, not participating in high risk behaviors, and getting appropriate medical follow-up for their original disease.

WTW

There are many more things that we can do in the arena of childhood cancer survivors. I would like to see more support groups for survivors and their families. I would like to see a kind of buddy system set up where newly diagnosed patients and families are matched with survivors so that they can physically see that they can get through therapy and be cured. And I would like to be sure that our families are well educated about their disease process, the medicines they received, and any future potential difficulties that may arise from their treatment.

I think that survivors of childhood cancer are truly exceptional people - they serve as a role model for many people - I know they do for me. They show us that a positive attitude and perseverance really does pay off and they help us understand the significance of what is really important in life.

Stuart Gold, MD

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