Advice to Young Oncologists

The manner in which you are going to treat a patient should be your second decision. Why you think the patient needs to be treated (eg, cure, palliation, etc.) should be your first. - Jay Cooper

In the changing world of oncology, concentrate on what you love to do. It will keep you focused and centered and provide you with the certainty that you’ll need in order to enjoy the practice of oncology throughout your career. - Melanie Royce

Say yes to every opportunity. Work hard, play hard. Be a leader in your practice and your community-set an example, they are watching you! Take 2 weeks off in a row each year. Listen to your patients-put yourself in their shoes and care for them as you would your family. - John Marshall

Go into a different field. (Just kidding!) - E. David Crawford

Listen to your patients and be honest in helping them make treatment decisions. Patients want to know the truth about their diagnosis and prognosis-we oncologists are the ones who tend to cower in these discussions. If you learn about your patients, you will know how best to frame important discussions honestly and openly. - Louis Potters

Keep Edmund Burke's adage in mind: “Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.” The breakthroughs of today are the foundation for the breakthroughs of tomorrow. Medicine is a selfless profession done on behalf of the patients, who place their most precious possession-their lives-in your hands. Be innovative and apply the successes outside of oncology and medicine to improve care. - Nora Janjan

Find a mentor you trust and respect. If you are going into academic medicine, publish and write grants. - L. Michael Glodé

Be gentle with the old and frail: get to know them, start with a conservative dose schedule, check their well-being, keep them comfortable, avoid complications and hospitalizations, and do not add to their symptoms with excessive treatments and tests. Communicate with everyone involved, do not act alone, and always get advice from the best colleagues you can find. Focus on taking care of your patients, follow up and follow through, and do not drop the ball. - N. Simon Tchekmedyian

What patients most desire is hope-not false hope or cheery optimism-but the true hope that you provide by being available to them in their need. This will eclipse even the value that you offer from your oncological expertise. - William C. Wood

Embrace the real-time analysis of health data to continuously improve the delivery of care and its outcomes. You can accomplish in a few years what it previously took decades to do. - James Mulshine

Take all your vacation time and don’t do email on vacation. Eat dinner every night with your family-no iPhones or TV, just conversation. Take care of your family and friends. - Hyman Muss

Listen carefully when meeting with patients and families. Cancer care is a multidisciplinary effort; include your nursing and social work colleagues in planning care. Share the responsibility. - Mary McCabe

Be a listener, not a preacher, when speaking to patients. If patient information doesn’t make sense, do not trust anybody, even yourself-always go further. Try to review pathology slides with someone, even if it’s at a tumor board; you can gain valuable information at those meetings. Oncologists always go to heaven! - Vincent Vinciguerra

For those with young families: Spend time with your kids. Work can wait, and children grow up fast. - James Yu

Choosing a good mentor is critical to career success and happiness, but mentorship should come from many different people. Some mentors have a good work-life balance, others will be exceptionally efficient, and others may be the caring, compassionate doctor we all want to be. But each of these mentors will also have shortcomings-none of us are super-human. - Lee Ellis

Never forget the fundamentals you learned in your training. Ask for help when you need it. Look to contribute toward an effective multidisciplinary team. - Paul Mathew

Carve out time for research early in your career, at your first post-fellowship position if possible. Treat everyone with respect every day-this is easier said than done, but civility is critical for all of medicine but particularly in cancer care. - Judd Moul

It may be just another clinic day for you, but not for your patients. Make them feel that they are the most important thing in your life when you’re in the exam room with them. Take the education of the next generation seriously-if you are helping to educate students, residents, and fellows, recognize this is important and it’s an honor to continue the tradition. - Judd Moul

Don’t let big government, with its plethora of regulations and paperwork, discourage you. Your contribution to humanity, at the end of each day, will be its own satisfying reward. - M. Steven Piver

Correspond with others in your field of interest. If a senior faculty member offers you a position on an editorial board or committee, accept their offer even if you feel that you aren’t experienced enough…you will learn! - Nicole Shonka

Find balance in your life, stay abreast of current best practices, remain empathetic, and identify an area of true excellence. - Steven Rosen

Academia provides a nice balance of administration, research, education, and patient care. Committing yourself 100% to an oncology practice can be emotionally and physically draining. Having balance also helps you be philosophical about the political vagaries of the academic world: Difficulties that arise during one’s academic career pale in comparison to the pathos we see daily in our practices. However, working within a university provides the benefits of camaraderie with colleagues and the satisfaction that comes from teaching. - Franco Muggia

Consider advice that others may provide regarding your career, but make final decisions based on what you are passionate about. - Lynn D. Wilson