BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016 - (Page 7)

RESEARCHER PROFILE Meet Dr. Malcolm Moore A passionate champion for cancer care Dr. Malcolm Moore recently joined the BC Cancer Agency as its President. He talks with DISCOVERY about his first few months in the role, and how a chance illness got him interested in a career in medicine. DR. MALCOLM MOORE, BC Cancer Agency President DISCOVERY: Tell us about your path to becoming a doctor. DISCOVERY: What is a day like in your role as President? DR. MOORE: I never really considered medicine until my third year of university, when I developed mono and had to visit a number of doctors. It was during one of the visits that I realized that a career helping people who were unwell would be challenging and rewarding, so I decided to switch from accounting and applied to medical school. DR. MOORE: It's a great job. Every day is different and presents new challenges. The most inspiring part of my job has been meeting so many people at all our Centres, who are passionate about making the system better. I also spend time working with the BC Cancer Foundation to support their critical role in raising funds for the Agency. In February, I will be returning to clinical practice one day a week. I miss seeing patients and also feel that working in a clinical setting will give me a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities. DISCOVERY: How did your medical studies lead to a career in cancer research and care? DR. MOORE: When I attended medical school, there was very little exposure to Oncology in the curriculum. My main interests at the time were Cardiology and Gastroenterology. That all changed when I did a two-month rotation at Princess Margaret Hospital. I was motivated both by the opportunity to work with cancer patients and how well the team at the hospital worked together to support and care for patients. When I later came on staff at the hospital, it was clear that cancer treatments needed to be much better and safer. This was really what motivated me to focus my research program on developing better cancer therapies. DISCOVERY: What have you learned during your ﬁrst few months at the Agency? DR. MOORE: The first thing is acknowledging that we work in a large, complex system. Months into the role, I am still learning every day. The second, is that everyone-the public, patients, staff, leadership and government- wants to see the BC Cancer Agency restored to its place as one of the preeminent cancer control systems in the world. It's really a question of having a plan to get back there. Fortunately, we have committed and passionate staff across all our Centres, so that care provided to patients has continued to be excellent. DISCOVERY: What is your hope for the future of cancer prevention and treatment in B.C.? DR. MOORE: One of the biggest challenges facing the cancer system is sustainability. The number of cancer cases annually will increase from 25,000 to 35,000 in the next decade; every year we can do more for patients with cancer but all these new innovations come with a high price. Some of the things I hope we can achieve over the next five years include: * Be considered one of the leading cancer control systems internationally * Have robust partnerships with the regional health authorities and primary care providers to improve cancer care across the entire patient journey * See five-year survival rates from cancer improve by an additional five per cent * Build our research efforts by learning from all patients seen by the BC Cancer Agency * Be engaged in global health and assist developing countries building their cancer system. W W W.BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM 7 http://WWW.BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016

BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016
Opening Thoughts
Contents
Healthy Insights
Why I Give
Researcher Profile
Defying the Odds: New Prostate Cancer
Clinical Trials Advance Cancer Care for All
Malaria Protein Shows Promise
Legacy Giving
Regional Roundup

BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016