Unlike other branches of medicine, even with cancer cases on the rise countrywide, oncology is still the least known of all.
In fact, there are hardly ten oncologists in the
country therefore elevating them to a special cadre of doctors. Dr Amyn
Alidina (MD), is an oncologist based at the Aga Khan Hospital.
Born in Karachi in Pakistan, he studied in the USA
and has worked across many continents including Africa, Asia and North
America.
Oncologists fall in several categories; a medical
oncologist treats cancer through administration of drugs, medication and
chemothttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6588688859850122427#editor/target=post;postID=674465105429619874herapy.
Radiation oncologists specialise in chemotherapy
while surgical oncologists treat cancer surgically. Dr Alidina is a
medical oncologist.
Please explain what an oncologist is?
An oncologist is a doctor whose preoccupation is
treating and curing cancer. The term oncology literally means a branch
of science that deals with tumours and cancers. The word “onco” means
bulk, mass, or tumour while “-logy” means study.
What does this job title entail?
We cure and treat cancer. Generally, oncology
entails careful diagnosis and identification of the right cancer
treatment. Very often, we are successful.
We administer medication and the right treatment,
especially when cancer is detected early. The sole aim of an oncologist
is to cure (curative treatment).
There are however instances when cancer has
reached advanced stages and is spreading out. In such cases, we aim to
relieve the symptoms and stretch the life span of the patients and
prevent suffering (palliative care) working closely with the family of
the patients.
Besides these, we offer preventive treatment in
cases such as cervical cancer vaccines (available in Tanzania),
hepatitis B in reduction of liver cancers. HIV related cancers are
common.
What does it take to be an ecologist?
First, one has to undergo the normal training in
internal medicine and further specialise in medical, radiation or
surgical oncology.
In other words, I trained in internal medicine residency and fellowship in medical oncology.
Describe your normal day at work. I report at work, see the patients and provide consultancy services to anyone who needs it.
I also prescribe chemotherapy to those needing it.
My work might involve seeing new patients, diagnosing the level of
malignance, determining the correct treatment procedures and deciding on
the pain control to the patients.
What motivates you in this particular line of medicine and assuming you did not become an oncologist, what would you have been?
The motivation factor, just like for all doctors
is when a patient gets cured. For example, I am handling this case of a
boy who had advanced cancer that had spread to the nose and the neck.
When he came, he could not even breathe.
His condition now is very encouraging. I believe
that the greatest gift in life is life itself. Assuming that I did not
become an oncologist, I would have ended up a singer.
In your career, what are your ups and downs?
My lowest is when I diagnose a case at an advanced
stage – the knowledge that it is difficult to treat because perhaps the
disease has spread out to other organs.
I am always happy when a patient gets cured or
when there is positive response to the treatment. Being able to relieve
suffering is a very gratifying experience for any doctor.
What challenges do you face? Mostly, the challenges are associated with availability of drugs and
radiation services. Also, many people do not understand the importance
of, say, cancer screening.
