Being diagnosed with cancer is a pivotal moment in a patient’s life. Historically, a cancer diagnosis left a person feeling hopeless and alone. Today, however, millions of people are living with the disease or continuing a healthy life after their treatment plan is complete. Because of medical breakthroughs and innovations in technology, patients with cancer can hope for a long and fulfilling life ahead of them.
Several varying factors play an important role in the treatment of cancer. Patients not only rely on the support of family and friends and their faith, but they also look to the medical institution to get them through. The oncology team works closely with each patient to develop an appropriate plan of action, and everything from chemotherapy dosage to diet is an essential factor.
In order to enact the plan, the oncology team needs to be highly trained in their specific area of study and be able to work together to battle the disease. Each member plays an important role, and the team is not limited to just the doctors and nurses. The oncology pharmacist sees the patient through their treatment and works to optimize their outcome.
What is an Oncology Pharmacist?
The oncology pharmacist works closely with the oncology team to create and implement an individualized plan to fight cancer. They are actively involved in all stages of treatment, from the chemotherapy dosage to medication therapy. They help to educate the patient or caregiver on the proper dosage, the role of each drug, and the side effects.
The oncology pharmacist doesn’t just care for patients, however, they also seek to educate the general public about cancer prevention. They do so by collecting data, participating in organizations and initiatives revolving around cancer research and prevention, and cultivating a patient mindset based on wellness and a healthy lifestyle. The pharmacist can also participate in the development of new drugs or medication methods.
History of the Oncology Pharmacist
Cancer itself has been around for centuries, with the earliest evidence of it dating back to the ancient Egyptians. The first recordings of an attempt to treat cancer dates back to 3000 BC, where an ancient Egyptian textbook describes cases of tumors found in the breast and the unsuccessful attempt to cauterize them with a fire drill. But it wasn’t until the nineteenth century that cells were studied under a microscope, and thus the field of oncology was born.
With advancements in the industry came a more highly specialized oncology team, and as medicine became an integral part of treatment, it was evident that pharmacists were needed for optimal results. Distinct residencies and fellowships for pharmacists first became available in the 1980s. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the American Society of Health System Pharmacists proposed a standard definition of the oncology pharmacist, and they outlined the goals and responsibilities of the practice. Hospitals and clinics have recently begun to realize the importance of the role of the pharmacist, and departments are seeing an increase in the amount of pharmacists staffed specifically for cancer medications.
What’s in Store?
After the early attempt to remove tumors found in the breast by searing them, the ancient Egyptians concluded that “there is no treatment” for cancer. The field of oncology has come a long way over the centuries, however, and today, patients diagnosed with a malignant disease have more of one thing than ever before: Hope. The path to wellness, no matter how long, requires an expert team and a caring support system, and the path leads to optimal health.
We’ve certainly proved the ancient Egyptians wrong in their bleak assessment, and we’ve also progressed toward a field that encompasses not only treatment but also management and prevention. The oncology team is a dynamic one with each person with his or her responsibility to combat the disease, and the industry is growing still. The oncology pharmacist plays a unique role in that he or she is dealing with only one condition and must be highly trained in cancer medicine. It requires a strong and compassionate person to see a patient through the stages of cancer to the destination of health. If you’re fascinated by the world of oncology and being an integral part of a vast and growing study, look for residencies, fellowships, or job openings in oncology departments in the future.
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