There are over 16 million cancer survivors- soon to be over 22 million. This is big data and thank goodness the brightest and the best take time from their practices to gather, share, learn and lead. This week I had the honor as Chair of the Board of the American College of Radiation Oncology to join with fellow physicians and newly minted residents at our national conference. The focus, while always on innovation also includes attention to quality of life for these millions.

There is significant endeavor to drill down and analyze aspects of treatments that can cause life altering events long term and make modifications. Memory loss, cardiac events, chronic lung or bowel dysfunction are occurring as the therapies may kill the cancer but damage the patient. What does cancer treatment success look like(?) was a theme throughout for each disease. “Do no harm” is tough when the event is devastating cancer. We respect now that patients who would have succumbed to the disease quickly years ago, may now live to develop difficult badges of honor in the future. So be assured that we are aware and research is helping us improve your quality of life with cancer even after therapy.

Far too many however, do not have the benefit of these advances. Cancer is still a very devastating disease. My own family is deeply grieving the loss of an amazing loved one this week. Overwhelming and swift, shocking and painful. Our hearts are broken and bewildered.

Simultaneously, another event occured – amazingly to someone with access to every hope for cure and access to state of the art treatment. Each year the conference honors a major figure in our specialty with the ACRO gold medal. This year’s recipient from Johns Hopkins and international commissions to assure radiation safety in the world, was chosen. The diagnosis came last month, the trial drug did not work and he succumbed last week. His widow strong and kind to accept the honor on his behalf.

We cannot ignore the terrible toll cancer takes on our families, whether by shortening their lives or impacting their long term wellbeing. We were fortunate to gather the chairs and presidents of major cancer organizations to brainstorm the future of cancer care. Yes, AI, access to care, diversity, new technologies and drugs all were mentioned, however, there is only one outcome that we are driven toward. Your living the best life that you can in spite of challenges.

Bringing your loved one into the process of palliative care and hospice is just as beneficial a strategy as aggressive treatment. Securing their comfort and assuring they are pain free and surrounded by love is what matters to all of us at the end of a journey.

So today, have encouragement that forces are driving to improve cancer care, but with much more respect and awareness to assure that quality of life and honoring patient requests are major parts of the process.

God bless our families and us all as we search for healing and hopefully find success but more importantly peace.