By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    headphones can create health problems
    The Harmful Health Effects of Using Headphones
    September 24, 2021
    Headache causes
    4 Causes Of Headache You Probably Didn’t Know About
    December 28, 2021
    follow these steps to recover from your injury
    What Steps Should You Take to Recover More Quickly from an Injury?
    April 12, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Healthcare Breakthroughs: 3 Ways to Improve Your Chances of Fighting Obesity
    September 22, 2017
    Bone Marrow Donation and Compensation: My Moral Dilemma
    December 11, 2013
    health problems caused by poor cleanliness
    5 Serious Health Problems Caused By Poor Cleanliness
    September 15, 2020
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: My Experience Working at a Cancer Clinic
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > My Experience Working at a Cancer Clinic
Specialties

My Experience Working at a Cancer Clinic

Trish Broome
Trish Broome
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

As a fairly social 23 year old, I am constantly meeting new people and engaging in the routine small talk that characterizes such encounters.  “What are you going to order? How do you know so-and-so? Why have the past five songs all been by Rihanna?” The usual introductory topics.

As a fairly social 23 year old, I am constantly meeting new people and engaging in the routine small talk that characterizes such encounters.  “What are you going to order? How do you know so-and-so? Why have the past five songs all been by Rihanna?” The usual introductory topics.

Bella Nadler

Then they’ll ask, “So what do you do?”  When I answer, “I work in a cancer clinic,” about 80 percent of the time, my new friend(s) are unsure how to respond.  It is a mixture of shock and awe, like, wow, that’s wonderful that you are able to help people but, ugh, it must be such a depressing environment to be in.

This reaction is founded on the assumption of what a cancer patient is: the general image of a pale, frail, bald, overwhelmingly sick-looking person.

More Read

How To Boost Your Metabolism For Effective Weight Loss
Preventing Dental Anxiety In Children: Tips For Stress-Free Dental Visits
The Pros and Cons of Having Dentures
Medical Marijuana For Cancer Patients: Potential Relief And Benefits
Echocardiographic in General Population Not Effective in Reducing Death/Disease

When I elaborate further, adding, “I love my job!”, perhaps this statement is even more shocking than the previous.  But, allow me to explain, I am not surrounded by morose-looking people.  In fact, most of the time, the patients do not look much different than someone with a less concerning pathology.

Forget “Where’s Waldo”, there is no white and red striped snow hat that marks someone with cancer.  I work at the front desk of the medical oncology clinic and when a patient comes with a posse of family members, sometimes I have no idea who is the patient is!

A person is sitting in the waiting room.  Are they here for an appointment? Did they come with someone who had an appointment? Are they just hanging out here because we have semi-decent magazines? Do they have a meeting with an employee?  Unless specifically asked, nothing about their physical appearance is remarkably telling.

From my experience, I think patients with cancer defy a certain physical image.  They can be young, old, short, tall, in a wheelchair, or sprinting down the halls.  What I can say, however, is I have witnessed the most admirable of character traits in their extraordinary strength, commitment, compassion, hope, and resilience. And that is what I love about my job.

There is one patient who must have the first appointment of the morning so that she can continue working while receiving treatments.  Then there is another who needs the last appointment of the day so that she has time to pick up her kids from school.  I also see another patient every Tuesday.  He comes once a week for a lifetime of infusions, always accompanied by his wife, and never misses a day.  And it is always inspiring to see patients, young and old, making every effort to help themselves – to walk down the hall instead of using a wheelchair, to carefully put on lipstick and matching jewelry instead of simply rolling out of bed.

These people, and so many others, are living with cancer; they are survivors.

-Written by Bella Nadler, Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute, Physician Office Assistant II

 

TwitterPinterestDiggStumbleUponLinkedInRedditShare

TAGGED:cancer
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

technology in medical research
The Tools Helping Medical Researchers See the Full Picture
News Technology
August 3, 2025
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025

You Might also Like

Image
DiagnosticsPublic HealthSpecialties

Screening for Dementia: A Cautionary Tale Yet to Begin

July 19, 2013
unplanned pregnancy counseling
Health carePregnancyUncategorizedWellnessWomen Health

Unplanned Pregnancy: Counseling Patients and Finding Help

April 2, 2021

Health Awareness Observances for the Month of July

July 7, 2013
Does Integrative Medicine Have A Place In Conventional Care?
Health careSpecialties

Integrative Medicine: All you need to know about this

July 17, 2021
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?