Pediatric Oncology Personal Statement

During my freshman year in high school, a highly malignant tumor was discovered on the back of my cranium. It had eroded my skull and was starting to leak into my brain. It was removed with no complications, but I was required to visit MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX for several years to check for any recurrence. Through this experience, I witnessed the fragility of life. A spark was ignited in me to pursue medicine and discover ways we could prevent cancer and other illnesses. I was immersed into the hospital setting and shadowed physicians of all types to find my possible niche. By studying the sciences, I feel I can have the greatest advantage in empowering myself and others. The STARS program would be crucial in allowing me to

Do you know the term cancer? Surely we’ve all heard the word and it dampens the air when you speak of it. We all know cancer can end lives, but we also know that it can be beat just like six year old Violet did. Violet was a normal girl at the age of six until her world was turned upside down when an ultrasound found a fist sized tumor near her kidney. She immediately underwent chemo and surgery. The life of the family changed significantly, but it’s a change they are willing to make in order to keep their precious little girl. During this time Violet and her family had to seek help from a pediatric oncologist. Pediatric oncologists save lives, here is how you can become the hero in children’s eyes.

This study hypothesizes the following: long-term comorbid survivors of childhood cancer with the high psychosocial risk factors, in middle adolescence at the time of initial cancer diagnosis will be more like to display PTSD symptoms than other childhood cancer survivors. For the purpose of this research, long-term is defined as three plus years after completion of the cancer treatment. Comorbidity is defined as having either a secondary physical illness and/or a mental disorder diagnosed prior to the initial cancer diagnosis. Psychosocial risk factors are identified as lower quality of life post cancer treatment (diminished emotional and physical functioning), inadequate emotional/social support during and after treatment, a more intense

Imagine that you are a detective, and you have just been assigned the most challenging murder mystery case. Everyone is depending on you to solve this mystery that has cost dozens of people their lives. However, there is a catch: you do not have any evidence, clues, or an overall starting place. Your job has now become nearly impossible. This arduous scenario is similar to that of finding a cure for cancer without scientific research. Finding a cure for cancer is thought of, by many, as infeasible and nearly impossible. Finding a cure to cancer is an extremely rigorous task, and without scientific research the job is even more challenging. Scientific research is the clue to solving the mystery of cancer. Research brings you closer and closer to the ultimate goal of curing cancer.

Several times in the past two years, I have been called “the kid who is curing cancer.” Sometimes it has been the punchline of a joke: for example, “you can’t tie your tie correctly but you’re curing cancer.” Most often, it has come with that dose of knowing hyperbole so nonchalantly dispensed in teenage conversation. Every time, however, I have wanted to leap into correctional clean-up mode. “There are so many types of cancers, a single cure for all of them would be nearly impossible”; “no, no, I’m working on a very small piece of the puzzle”; other attempted clarifications abound.

Pediatric oncology is a high acuity clinical field, where nurses experience loss and grief on daily bases. Due to the nature of their work, they experience intense stress, ethical dilemma, and poorer job performance, which effects their physical and psychological state (Conte, 2014). There was a study done in the children’s hospital located on the West Coast of U.S.A. targeting the experiences of pediatric oncology nurses to analyze their overall well-being affected by job related loss and grief (Conte, 2014).

Cancer is very uncommon in children but, sadly, it does happen. Cancer does not discriminate. It can affect both boys and girls, those of any race or social class, and it can be diagnosed in babies as well as young adults. The most common types of childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer. Most cancers in children result from mutations in the genes of growing cells, which is much different than cancer in adults where it is primarily attributed to lifestyle or environmental factors. Because the cause of childhood cancer is unknown, there is no way of preventing it. A diagnosis is often made during a child’s regular checkup, when the doctor detects something abnormal. Some of the first symptoms include fever, swollen glands,

I want a career in Pediatrics, especially in Oncology. Since I was a child I knew I wanted to be a Pediatrician. The thing is I knew I didn’t want to be just a general Pediatrician. My freshman year of high school, I went on saying that I wanted to go into Orthopedic surgery and that was fueled by the pay. But, as time went on I didn’t want to become a Pediatrician for the pay and I knew working with deformities of bones and muscles wasn’t something I actually wanted to do. What I realized then was that I wanted to specialize in Oncology. Ever since I was a child I was always interested about different kinds of cancers. I would always watch the St. Jude Hospital commercials because I was so impacted by the children’s stories. What really made me want to get into Oncology was my god brother Sean, who died of cancer. He had cancer before and survive but, then he relapsed a couple years later and died and that will forever have an effect on me. I wanted to specialize in Pediatric Oncology because it accounted for about 10% of children’s death and I wanted to be one of those doctors, surgeons, etc. to help decrease that number, and actually find a cure. I want to put in the effort with my hands to do so. I also know with learning about child development I could turn a stigmatized negative environment into a positive

From the time I was a child, I have dreamed of becoming a person that can change lives for the better. More specifically I have dreamed of becoming a pediatric oncologist. I want to save the lives of children with cancer, because I have seen firsthand the devastation that cancer causes the sufferers and those around them. I believe Syracuse University can help me achieve my dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist because the university offers a pre-medicine major which will challenge me academically and prepare me take the MCAT exam. The pre-health advising will also be helpful in preparing me to enter the competitiveness of medical

Although more adults than kids get cancer, children deserve to have a chance to beat cancer. As of 2015, U.S. federal government dedicates only four percent of its funds to childhood cancer. This small amount of money does not cover the specialized equipment children need to treat their growing bodies. Also, pharmaceutical companies do not support drug development in childhood cancers because it is not profitable. Children with cancer deserve life as much as adults do, and a lack in funding prevents these kids to grow up and live their dreams.

Teaser: Australian federal police “Make-A-Wish” come true for a young boy in remission from leukaemia — and it was a blast!

The Children’s Cancer Foundations is a 501c3 independent nonprofit whose mission is to raise funds to support facilities, research and programs to aid in the treatment and cure of pediatric cancer. While they provide critical financial support in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia, they are participating in the research and treatment of pediatric cancers that could help children Nationwide. CCF has built Pediatric Oncology Units and facilities at locations such as Johns Hopkins, one of the leading Cancer Centers in the United States.

This paper will provide an overview of childhood leukemia, as depicted in My Sister's Keeper

Although families were appreciative that they were given the opportunity to speak of their experience. The authors concluded that because this study was so isolated more research needs to be conducted to help improve the quality of care being provided in palliative care programs. Hospice provided in the home needs to consist of more qualified personal to better meet the needs of the patient and family. More focus needs to be spent on the issues that were brought to the public’s attention and an environment needs to be created allowing families to express their experience.

Did you know that over one third of all cancers for children in the U.S, is Leukemia? Leukemia is one of the most common types of cancer. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are working on ways to find better cures, and ways than there already are, but could use everyone’s help.