Oncology expert calls for detecting first cancer cell
National
April 17, 2021
LAHORE: “The First Cell”, latest book by Dr Azra Raza, Professor of Medicine at Columbia University, was launched by the Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest Online. Dr Azra Raza was in conversation with the CEO of Shaukat Khanum Hospitals, Dr Aasim Yusuf.
Explaining the crux of her argument Dr Raza, who has been a practicing oncologist and cancer researcher for over four decades, noted that “We are obsessed with curing cancer but forget the patient.” This lack of empathy she said was criminal.
Speaking from her personal experience where her husband suffered and died from cancer, Dr Raza said “Unless we convey the extent of human anguish, we would not be doing justice to the patient or to the field.” Countering the long-held belief, Dr Raza emphasised “We are trained not to get involved, but the patients demand empathy.”