Derek, United States

I was diagnosed with my third cancer in March 2023. Melanoma resected a decade ago. Prostatectomy for prostate cancer 4 years ago. Picked up early on increased PSA knowing my father died at a young age of it. Both cancers are in remission or cured. Then esophageal cancer. Luckily it was early stage. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and then months of immunotherapy followed but ended early due to pulmonary side effects. 6 months later and CT scans are clear.

I am a physician and epidemiologist. Spent a decade at WHO on related issues. Then time at Yale, and several positions where global health promotion has been my focus. This partly prepared me to understand cancer management. But being the "patient" makes it real. Thankfully, my wife, my Yale team. my swimming friends, my faith, and relationships stretching over decades all helped.

More specifically. I have come to value my faith (Jewish) and spirituality far more as result of my cancers. I kept swimming despite oncologists' initial opposition. With my wife's support dug into the literature to check side effects and diagnoses at every step. My friends from way back and in my community have been a permanent source of support.

I cannot know the future but do seek to work more to bridge the still gaping divide that exists between the excellence of oncology medications and treatment, and the relative neglect of the complimentary value of activity, spirituality, diet and friends as source of support, hope and encouragement.