National Surgical Oncologist Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Cancer

National Surgical Oncologist Day is observed annually on August 22 to commemorate and honour the surgeons who devote their lives and expertise to making the world healthier. They contribute significantly to the fact that many people live longer than nature intended. Surgical Oncologists are physicians who specialise in the removal of tumours and the diagnosis of cancer through biopsies. The oncologist’s function in the operating room varies. They are all trained to actively engage with patients and manage cancerous and noncancerous tumours, although some are more specialised in certain types of cancer.

The background of National Surgical Oncologist Day

Jenni Cherlin and the Lean On Me Breast Cancer Foundation established National Surgical Oncologist Day in 2019 to recognise the contributions of surgical oncologists everywhere. Since the invention of instruments, humans have experimented with surgical procedures. Prior to the discovery of anaesthesia and antisepsis remedies, people who underwent any type of surgery, regardless of their condition, were viewed as either courageous or foolish, as recovery rates were extremely low and mortality rates were extremely high.

Surgery has become more refined as a medical science over the past 150 years, with the last century giving birth to astounding technological and scientific advances. Surgical oncologists are one of a number of crucial components in the expectation that cancer will become a curable disease in the near future. While groundbreaking technological and medical research has yielded astounding results in the endeavour to rid patients of a cancer diagnosis, much work remains. Surgical oncologists are devoted to their profession, sacrificing a significant portion of their lives to give others a chance at the remainder of their lives, despite the fact that without the help of the many stakeholders, they would not have the success rate they do today. They are motivated by the need for a cure and additional treatment options for cancer patients.

The 22nd of August is dedicated to recognising these surgeons’ dedication to sparing lives and families from the tragedy of terminal illness. The day is even more significant because it is the birthday of Dr. Dwight Carlton De Risi, a renowned surgical oncologist with more than 30 years of experience.

5 Interesting Cancer Facts

The earliest mention of cancer was discovered in the Edwin Smith Papyrus from 1600 B.C., which describes the removal of tumours using an instrument known as the fire drill and states, “there is no treatment.”

In the United States, there are more cases of skin cancer due to indoor tanning than lung cancer due to smoking.

Up to half of all cancer cases and fatalities are preventable, according to research.

Naked mole rats are immune to cancer due to their high levels of hyaluronan, a body lubricant that also inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

The left breast is 5% to 10% more likely than the right breast to develop cancer, and it is 10% more likely to develop melanoma (a skin cancer).

NATIONAL SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST DAY DATES