Lessions Learned: Advice for the Next Generation of Women in Oncology

In the video above, the following 3 oncologists reflect on advice they'd offer to younger women pursuing a career in oncology following the Women in Oncology brunch held during the 42nd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, as well as International Women's Day:

• Reshma Mahtani, DO, the chief of Breast Medical Oncology at Baptist Health Wellness and Medical Complex in Florida
• Kelly E. McCann, MD, PhD, an associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA Medical School in Los Angeles, California
• Megan Melody, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at TGH and TGH Cancer Institute in Florida.

[Transcript]

Onclive: What advice would you offer to younger women pursuing a career in oncology?

Mahtani: My biggest advice is to believe in your value and not to be afraid to take up space. The field can be demanding, but your voice, perspective, and contributions are important. It's crucial to seek out mentors, both women and men, who will support and advocate for you. Don't hesitate to ask for research opportunities or any opportunities, whether in research, leadership, or in clinical practice. Don't feel pressured to fit into any specific mold. There's no one right way to build a career in oncology, whether your passion is patient care, clinical research, education, advocacy, or leadership in any capacity. Carve out your own path and remember that balance is key. It’s helpful to surround yourself with a strong professional network, knowing that those relationships you build with colleagues and mentors will not only help you grow but will sustain you through some inevitable challenges.

McCann: I felt unprepared about a lot of [aspects] going into this, this job. When you’re in training, you’re focusing on mostly yourself: educating yourself and getting research projects going. The biggest surprise has been how much of oncology has become a business. I don’t have [many of those business] skills, so a lot of what we learn on the fly is more related to [facets of the job] that I don’t find particularly rewarding, like administration-type work and spending weekends trying to catch up on tasks that could be done by somebody other than myself.

Melody: As a woman in medicine, I've been told a lot of things about how to behave, how to act, or how to carry myself. What I realized is that I work hard, and I truly care about my patients, and the most important thing that I can do for my patients is to show up as earnestly and honestly as I can, however that manifests. Medicine is hard, and [us early-career oncologists] are going to burn out if we don't allow ourselves to show up for our patients as who we truly are. Being genuine and open about that is important. [Moreover,] making sure that we do that for our colleagues is what will help us foster a community. By showing up genuinely, honestly, and openly for each other and holding the door open for each other, [we can] make sure we are extending new opportunities that allow other women to climb the ladder with us or behind us.