Tag: cancer

Medical Humanities, Patient-Physician Relationship

Finding Space for Humor in Serious Illness Care

Between Gravity and Grace: Discovering the Role of Levity in Patient Care “She had always been interested in standup comedy, and it occurred to her that what’s funny is true. That’s why people respond because the unspeakable is getting said.” I came across these words in Ariel Levy’s 2017 New Yorker profile of Elizabeth Strout, and they stopped me in my tracks. For years, I had struggled … Continue reading Finding Space for Humor in Serious Illness Care

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MD
Books

“Making Sense of Cancer”

I wanted to write a few words wholeheartedly encouraging you to read Dr. Jarle Breivik’s new book, “Making Sense of Cancer: From Its Evolutionary Origin to Its Societal Impact and the Ultimate Solution.” (Dr. Breivik is a Ph.D. researcher and educator who worked in the field of immunotherapy).  It’s a brilliant exploration of cancer and its societal and philosophical implications. The book is a pleasure … Continue reading “Making Sense of Cancer”

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MD
Books

Cancer and the Experience of Trauma.

Most of us have a narrow view of trauma. We think of trauma as an extreme, eruptive and dramatic experience. It comes to mind when we hear about acts of violence, natural disasters or loss of loved ones. Yes, this is trauma. No doubt. But trauma has also an unfamiliar face. One that is subtler, less ostensible, and often unrecognized even by those who are … Continue reading Cancer and the Experience of Trauma.

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MDLeave a comment
Substance Use Disorders

Treating Addiction as a life threatening Illness:

Advanced metastatic cancer is a serious, life-threatening illness. No one doubts that. Severe addiction is also often lethal (in 2017, more than 70K people died from drug overdoses, 2/3rds involving opioids1), but it clearly does not get the same attention as cancer care does, for a lot of diverse reasons ranging from stigma and lack of appropriate funding, to systemic issues related to how care, … Continue reading Treating Addiction as a life threatening Illness:

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MDLeave a comment
Books, Research Articles

Dr. Azra Raza: is this time to change the way we fight cancer?

While in his late 50s, my dad was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). His course of illness was rocky. He spent a few tough years in and out of hospitals. He died suddenly, at 62, because of an intracranial bleed when MDS transformed itself into acute leukemia – a common pathway (I wrote about it here). During his illness he was under the care of … Continue reading Dr. Azra Raza: is this time to change the way we fight cancer?

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MDLeave a comment