As we honor Colorectal Cancer awareness month, can you share what made you decide to care for patients with colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the US and is occurring at younger ages and more frequently. Yet we are also constantly improving in our care of patients with colorectal cancer – patients are doing better and living longer. Caring for patients and families with CRC is gratifying. We are able to cure many patients and also treat patients with metastatic disease to live longer.
How does your role in Palliative Care influence the way you care for patients as part of the Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers?
My palliative care informed perspective on cancer care is a necessity to approach and treat patients holistically – including physical, mental, and emotional health in their assessments and care. I seek to understand my patients’ values, backgrounds, and support systems as it relates to their cancer care and their well-being. As an oncologist and palliative care provider, I am also trained in communication around serious illness and do my best to support patients in their understanding of their prognosis and in their decision-making regarding treatment choices.
What advances have made the biggest impact in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer over the last 5 years?
I am a big believer in screening efforts and early detection. The movements for earlier detection of CRC have made a big difference in allowing more curative-intent and lower morbidity treatments for patients with early-stage disease. Get screened, get your colonoscopy, tell your family to get their colonoscopies. The role of immunotherapy in colorectal cancer is also impressive and improving outcomes for patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer.
Is there a piece of advice or support you try to extend to your patients and their families? Words of hope?
There are many words of hope for colorectal cancer as I believe the field is rapidly advancing, and we can expect more improvements in the coming years. I tell patients that I know this sucks. Living with the daily uncertainty and burden of a cancer diagnosis is really hard and stressful. Give yourself grace, you are doing your best. Set aside some time to be purposefully sad – listen to music, cry, rage, whatever you need. And try to set aside some time to not think about it, too, which is harder, but also important.