By Kenneth Macdonald
Buffalo, NY – Trends in cancer and demographics are indicating an impending medical crisis in cancer treatment.
A recent study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology predicts a nation-wide shortage of oncologists as the population ages and cancer survivors live longer.
Roswell Park's Dean for Educational Affairs, Dr. Arthur Michalek, said he sees two big problems - enticing students to pursue a career in oncology and expanding the training pipeline. He said both take time and money.
"Training programs are not inexpensive and it requires a committment of institutes across the country, such as Roswell Park, which has beeen committed to this for many many decades and will need to dso for many decades yet to come," said Michalek.
Michalek said Roswell Park is striving to meet the challenges. Last year, 71 high school students from around the country spent their summer working at the center. A graduate division of 200 student-researchers and 50 post-residency fellows work full time at the institute.