National Surgical Oncologist Day

August 22nd is National Surgical Oncologist Day, a time to honor every surgeon specializing in abolishing cancer. Today acknowledges the dedicated surgical oncologists who are at the forefront of the battle against cancer, who spend their lives saving others. 

Surgical oncologists often work with other doctors to form multidisciplinary teams to provide patients with the necessary treatment. When a patient needs a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery to treat the condition, the surgical oncologist becomes one of the most valuable members of the patient's cancer care team. Surgical oncologists also strive to better understand the various cancers that are faced daily by countless patients. As experts in their field, they continuously seek improvements in care – from cutting-edge techniques to the latest advances in research and therapies, they push toward a cure every day. 

In breast care, a big topic of current interest is the personalization of cancer care. Even in tumors that arise in the same organ, there are many different subtypes. Care of women with breast cancer is constantly being improved by tailoring treatment to the molecular characteristics of individual tumors, as well as to the size and spread of the cancer and the patient’s menopausal status. But alongside the theoretical and the medical, surgical oncologists must also forge strong personal bonds with patients, priming the medical decisions they make with a very human foundation. Perhaps the most important consideration of all when personalizing breast cancer care is to take the patient’s individual preferences into account (1). What does the patient want most from treatment? Is it, above all else, to improve the chances of a cure, to extend survival, or perhaps to maintain independence and quality of life?

As experts in the field navigate the challenges between the many skill sets required for high quality care, in honor of today, consider reaching out and expressing your appreciation to a surgical oncologist who has helped you or a loved one.

(1)Personalised Care at Glance, ESMO, Januray 2015, https://www.esmo.org/for-patients/personalised-medicine-explained/breast-cancer