At an academic function, a guest asks what I do and I say, “public hospital doctor”, which seems more benign than “oncologist”. When he asks me to elaborate, his eyes widen as he exclaims, predictably, “Wow, isn’t that depressing?” By now, I have form in explaining that being an oncologist is sobering but not depressing because, in the space between diagnosis and outcome, there is a lot of good one can do – not only through treating the disease but having empathy for the patient.
Next he asks if “they” will find a cure for cancer. Thinking of all the hard-working (and poorly paid) researchers, I say there is much to celebrate and much more to aspire to. He nods thoughtfully.
