Top in hem/onc: Breast surgeon becomes patient advocate; cannabis and cancer treatment

Deepa R. Halaharvi, DO, was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer just 8 months after starting her career as a breast surgeon. Now, Halaharvi uses her experience to help others who are diagnosed.

“I have gained a significant amount of empathy and compassion in being able to put myself in patients’ shoes,” Halaharvi said during an interview. “I always tell my medical trainees, fellows and residents to put yourself in the patient’s shoes and know the feelings that a patient goes through when they are told that they have cancer.”

This was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.

Another top story was about how cannabis use during cancer treatment has the “under-appreciated” downside of high out-of-pocket expense for the patient, according to researchers.

Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:

Breast surgeon forges additional advocacy role after becoming a patient herself

After immigrating to the U.S. from India as a teenager, Halaharvi knew that she wanted to become a physician. It was only 8 months after becoming a breast surgeon in 2015 that she was diagnosed with stage I, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, giving her the unique insight into what it was truly like to be in her patients’ shoes. Read more.

Use of cannabis during cancer treatment may have ‘under-appreciated’ financial impact

Cannabis use during cancer treatment can result in a considerable out-of-pocket cost burden, according to study results presented at ASCO Quality Care Symposium. Read more.

Neurofeedback may be effective for addressing ‘chemo brain’

“Chemo brain” — a collection of cognitive symptoms related to memory, concentration and organization — is a potentially upsetting and debilitating adverse effect of cancer treatment. Read more.

Older cancer survivors at higher risk for bone fracture

Older cancer survivors have an increased risk for pelvic and vertebral bone fracture compared with older adults without a history of cancer, research published in JAMA Oncology showed. Read more.

Financial modeling may simplify compensation arrangements, help physicians gauge job risk

Today’s inflationary environment has thrown a wrench into the wealth creation ability of many asset classes, further underscoring the need for good financial security from your career. Read more.