I am a physician specializing in cancer care, a position that required years of commitment to attain. The path included financing my medical education, with my residency and fellowship training partially supported by governmental funds, recognizing the pressing need for additional physicians. Likewise, every aspiring doctor benefits from federal educational assistance to maintain a consistent influx of healthcare professionals.

Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to oversee an NIH-funded fundamental research laboratory, aiding in the development of therapies for heart disease and cancer, highlighting my expertise in evaluating randomized controlled trials. These trials are essential for identifying effective treatment alternatives, such as assessing whether Treatment A outperforms Treatment B, or examining the side effects in comparison to a placebo.

The demand for cancer specialists arises from demographic analyses showing that cancer mainly impacts older populations. Added exposure to industrial and environmental carcinogens exacerbates this situation. Thus, as life expectancy increases, a greater number of individuals will receive a cancer diagnosis, clearly indicating the need without any external motivation.

I receive a fixed salary and do not profit financially from prolonged treatments, the creation of cancer cases, or the use of expensive therapies. My aim is to achieve cures whenever feasible; however, with NIH-supported research, I frequently extend the lives of numerous patients, transforming stage four cancer from a terminal illness to a chronic condition. Prioritizing quality of life is crucial, regardless of whether patients choose aggressive interventions or palliative care.

I adhere firmly to these ethical principles:
– I do not accept compensation from hospices or nursing facilities.
– I refuse to attend meetings or accept gifts from pharmaceutical representatives.
– I have no personal investments in pharmaceutical companies or vaccine development.

My focus is on public health, considering the potential cuts to medical research and educational initiatives. The ramifications extend beyond cancer treatment; an inadequately trained Department of Health and Human Services poses a wider threat. Concerns about the future abound—limited treatment alternatives when research is overlooked, the presence of infectious diseases at public spaces like Disneyworld without vaccine protection, and a lack of readiness and infrastructure to handle future pandemics effectively.

As a trained expert, my worries are deeply grounded in these realities, and I call upon others to join in this awareness.

Banu Symington is a physician specializing in hematology-oncology.