Dr. Lori Pierce Received the ASCO Cancer Mentorship Award

Dr. Lori Pierce, Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Michigan Medical School, received the 2018 ASCO Cancer Mentorship Award. This award recognizes female oncology professionals who have served as both leaders and mentors in their field over an extended period.

ASCO Daily News spoke with Dr. Pierce about mentorship.

Question: Whom Have You Mentored?

Dr. Pierce: I have had the privilege of working with both women and men on various research projects focusing on radiotherapy in the treatment of women with breast cancer. I have mentored undergraduates, medical students, citizens, friends and junior faculty. Many of those I have mentored went on to faculty positions at the University of Michigan and other academic institutions. As a mentor, knowing that you have made a difference in other people’s careers is a very special feeling.

• Still do not have a mentor? What is mentorship?

Q: Why Is Mentorship Important, Particularly for Women Entering Oncology?

Dr. Pierce: Mentorship is particularly important for women in oncology. Medicine is a male-dominated field, and oncology is no different. We need to develop strategies early to successfully achieve our clinical and research goals. Mentorship passes knowledge to the next generation of researchers by helping others develop their career paths.

Mentorship is also essential for navigating gender-based workplace issues. These may include understanding family-friendly policies offered by our institutions or practices and building communication networks with other women to share workplace experiences. These networks are important for discussing both positive and negative aspects of the workplace, including harassment. Sexual harassment persists in medicine, as in almost every industry, but fortunately it is increasingly recognized, reported and addressed.

Q: What Are Some Challenges Women Face in Academic Medicine?

Dr. Pierce: Women have limited time to meet their research, clinical care and educational goals. They do all the work their male colleagues do—seeing patients, conducting research, publishing, seeking research funding, providing healthcare and teaching—while often also bearing primary responsibility for their homes and children.

Women who have children need maternity and breastfeeding leave. Even after childbirth, women have far greater childcare responsibilities than men. All these factors take time and may reduce the time available to complete their duties.

Applications for research funding are becoming increasingly competitive and demanding. Funding also takes longer than in previous years. Women may not start research careers on equal terms with men because male physicians worldwide earn better salaries and negotiate better research startup packages than women.

Universities should offer professional development programs teaching prospective physicians basic negotiation skills. Women should be empowered to ask questions at the start of their academic appointments so they fully understand expectations and benchmarks. Mentors can help prepare women for interviews for academic and private-sector positions. It is also important that employers consistently appoint women and men with similar résumés.