Learning Monday: Genetically Engineered Cells Have Kept 2 Patients Cancer Free For A Decade

“The treatment, known as CAR-T cell therapy, used the patients’ own genetically engineered immune cells to track down and kill cancerous cells (SN: 6/27/18). Based on the results, “we can now conclude that CAR-T cells can actually cure patients with leukemia,” cancer immunologist and study coauthor Carl June of the University of Pennsylvania said at the briefing.”

Genetically Engineered Cells Have Kept 2 Patients Cancer Free For A Decade

Kind and Compassionate Doctors Have Patients Who Heal Faster

Excellent current and updated medical knowledge make a great medical doctor. This saves lives, it heals. When we have compassion and empathy towards our patients makes medical practice a wonderfully rewarding experience.

Patients heal sooner when they are listened to when they feel supported. The body responds better to medical treatments and surgical procedures. Recovery is faster.

Compassionate care helps us feel seen and validated by another, and this human connection registers in our autonomic nervous system, lowering blood pressure and supporting us physiologically as well as psychologically.

Fear, stress, helplessness, sadness, physical and emotional pain, embarrassment and isolation are aspects of the illness experience patients go through. Understanding these issues and showing true compassion and empathy towards our patients makes us better doctors with healthier/happier patients.

“I always tell my residents to never forget that we have the opportunity to do more good in one day than most people have in a month.”― Suneel Dhand