Early-career surgeon emphasizes ‘many ways to get involved with oncology’
Recent Cancer Treatment Centers of America team addition, Katherine Poruk, MD, shared her interest in improving a gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer care, as well as advice for other women like her who are early in their career.
Healio spoke with Poruk, a surgical oncologist, about her career thus far and what she hopes to accomplish at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) as part of Women in Oncology’s “Women on the Move” series.
![“No matter what your specialty is or whatever you’re interested in, you can find a way to be involved [in cancer care] because cancer unfortunately affects all ages and all parts of the body.” - Katherine Poruk, MD](/~/media/slack-news/hemonc/content-bundles/resource-centers/women-in-oncology/2022/hot_wio0222poruk_graphic_01.jpg?w=800)
Past, current work
Poruk said that her main research in the past has involved improving understanding of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
“In the past, I have done research on diagnostic serum markers to identify patients earlier with pancreatic cancer, as well as work with circulating tumor cells, which appear to be a potential prognostic biomarker,” she said.
Her journey to a gastrointestinal- and hepatology-focused career was motivated by personal situations in her life that had “opened [her] eyes to oncology and cancer.” Additionally, she found she particularly enjoyed oncologic surgeries and taking care of the patients who required them when she was both in medical school and a resident.
“Currently, my research has shifted to genomic predictors in pancreatic adenocarcinoma — predominantly how we can better understand genes that can predict which patients may recur early after surgery and identifying mutations that are potential options for targeted therapies.”
She added that this work started at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she completed her fellowship, and she will be continuing it at CTCA.
Regarding what she hopes to accomplish through her work with CTCA, Poruk said that she hopes to make more of a difference in the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer and liver tumors, and to be able to treat a broader population in Georgia and referring areas.
Early career advice
One of many important things for any physician early in their career — although especially for women — is to keep an eye out for mentors and those who can best help your career.
“My mentors have always been important, and I think that if you’re interested in oncology, it’s important to identify mentors early on,” Poruk said.
She continued that they can help with all aspects during the start of a career from clinical aspects to determining the field that best fits you.
“Research mentors if you’re interested in either clinical or basic science research; people you can talk to about fellowship, that can help you on your journey to finding a fellowship that fits best for you and then also people who can help you balance the rigors of training with family and life,” she said.
The other message she wanted to provide to those interested in medicine or even in medical school is that there are "so many ways to get involved with oncology.”
“No matter what your specialty is or whatever you’re interested in, you can find a way to be involved because cancer unfortunately affects all ages and all parts of the body,” Poruk said. “Even if you don’t think your career will be impacted by cancer, it can impact everybody in the medical field because it’s such a prevalent disease.”
She concluded that whether your plan is to focus on cancer care or not, it is important to be aware of its effects, especially early in training or medical school.
“It’s always good to get that exposure to really understand how to best treat these patients and support them,” she said.
For more information:
Katherine Poruk, MD, can be reached at katherine.poruk@ctca-hope.com.
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Healio Interview