Cancer from the Oncologist's Perspective

People with cancer and their health care teams face some of life's toughest challenges together. While caring for their patients, health care professionals have many of their own emotions. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) highlights these stories in a series called The Art of Oncology. The essays and interviews featured in this series are about some of the most difficult conversations oncology health care providers have with their patients.

This ongoing series began in 2000. In each issue of the ASCO's Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO), one provider story is featured. There is also a podcast based on the series called Cancer Stories: The Art of Oncology and includes interviews and professional readings of Art of Oncology essays. You are invited to explore the Art of Oncology using the links below. Please note that these links will take you to other websites.

How to find The Art of Oncology

There are several ways you can access The Art of Oncology:

Read Sample Essays

Banter by Dr. Catriona M. McNeil

Camouflage by Dr. Daniel Rayson

Coming Out in the Exam Room by Dr. Ash B. Alpert

Food Is Love: Partnering with Families to Provide Nourishment at the End of Life by Dr. Erica C. Kaye, Dr. Anna Kegel, Madeline Weber, Carla Cartwright, Dr. Holly Spraker-Perlman, Dr. Giles W. Robinson, and Dr. Justin N. Baker

The Gambler by Dr. Katherine E. Reeder-Hayes

Gratitude in the time of COVID by Dr. Meagan Elizabeth Miller

Love in the Time of Cancer by Dr. Lawrence H. Einhorn

Pet Therapy: How the Cat I Never Wanted Saved My Life by Dr. Fumiko Chino

Talking to Children With Cancer: Sometimes Less is More by Dr. David N. Korones

Related Resources

Building a Relationship with Your Health Care Team

Communication is Teamwork

Difficult Conversations

Improving Communication Between Patients and Health Care Providers