Dr Coopey on Addressing Gender Disparities in Cancer Care

Suzanne B. Coopey, MD, FACS, surgical oncologist, chairperson, Breast Cancer, AHN Cancer Institute, discusses disadvantages that are often faced by female clinicians early on in their careers, highlighting the importance of addressing gender disparities in cancer care.

Early on in a woman’s career within the landscape of cancer care, these individuals can often be faced with challenges when taking time away from work to have children, Coopey begins. Taking a 2 to 3 month break for maternity leave can severely impede their careers when they are just getting started, Coopey says.

According to a survey published in JCO Oncology Practice, early-career or trainee clinicians (n = 114) reported feeling overwhelmed with demands of work and home upon their return to work at a rate of 79%. Most respondents (60%) also reported feeling guilty when asking colleagues for help upon their return from parental leave and 50% felt pressured to work during their parental leave.

Additionally, only 19% reported having the option to work part time or choose lighter rotations during their transition back to work from parental leave, 32% said that they had additional responsibilities upon their return, and only 27% said they felt that they had the resources to address the transition back to work. Fellowship program directors or associate program directors of training programs who were surveyed (n = 23) reported that their current parental leave duration is either adequate (61%) or too short (39%). Over half of the directors (52%) reported that their institution had a differing parental leave policy for trainees compared with faculty.

Support for these issues can be provided in the form of dedicated time, resources, and a team of people who can continue the clinician’s research when they are not necessarily on-site each day, Coopey explains. Support on a personal level in terms of understanding the career and home life balance from colleagues is also crucial, Coopey explains. No clinician should reasonably be expected to continue research and other academic pursuits in the evening, on weekends, or at home, during time that should be spent with family, Coopey concludes.