Cancer as a Family Affair | Mark Lewis, MD

For Mark Lewis, MD, cancer has defined his entire life. Growing up, he witnessed his father's valiant struggle with cancer before it eventually ended his life. While still in medical training, he not only developed pancreatic cancer but also discovered the culprit. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, an inherited syndrome that drastically increases one's risk of cancers, runs in his family. So now, as a father, he guides his son in making sense of a life burdened with that risk. What’s more, as an oncologist, Dr. Lewis has also dedicated his professional life to understanding and treating cancers of the gastrointestinal system. In this deeply personal conversation filled with pathos, wisdom, and hope, Dr. Lewis shares how he learned to cope with the rage he felt towards cancer in his early years, the solace he finds in religion and how he tactfully approaches matters of spirituality with his patients, how he was fundamentally transformed after undergoing the daunting Whipple surgical procedure, the wonder he feels when considering the remarkable progress science has made in cancer therapies, and how he channels his personal experiences to connect with patients. This is an episode that paints a portrait of grace, resilience, and courage in the face of suffering and loss, and it reminds us to search for the dignity that is inherent in the act of caring for another person.In this episode, you’ll hear about: 2:43 - How watching his father deal with cancer led Dr. Lewis to a career in medicine.7:04 - How Dr. Lewis managed the grief and rage that came with his father’s passing. 11:10 - How the speed of medical innovation drives Dr. Lewis’ optimism. 19:51 - The role that faith plays in Dr. Lewis’ work and in his relationships with patients.29:07 - Dr. Lewis’ experience as a cancer patient and how it has informed his work as an oncologist. 39:21 - The ethical challenges involved in administering toxic treatments in oncology. 42:24 - The deeper meaning that Dr. Lewis has found through his experiences at the intersection of science and faith. 48:57 - Dr. Lewis’ advice for empathizing and connecting with patients. Dr. Mark Lewis can be found on Twitter/X at @marklewismd.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to [email protected] The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2024