Dustin Deming, MD, a gastrointestinal cancer expert at University of Wisconsin Health in Madison, found himself on the receiving end of news that he had become used to giving. He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 31, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report.
Two weeks into his dream job at UW Health, Dr. Deming was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes, notes the report. He had no family history of cancer, making his diagnosis that much more surprising. Post surgery and bouts of chemotherapy, Dr. Deming has beaten the cancer but it has informed his practice and his research. Today, Dr. Deming serves on Fight Colorectal Cancer's medical advisory board and focuses on researching targeted therapies for colorectal and pancreatic cancers. He is aiming to find more personalized therapies to treat CRC, according to the report.
His cancer diagnosis also changed the way he provides care to his patients, according to an interview with Dr. Deming on Be Seen Get Screened.
"When I saw patients in clinic previously I focused mostly on the diagnosis, stage, and treatments for each patient's cancer. Those things are still important, but I now realize that at least initially the emotional, sleep, family life, and occupational changes that occur after a diagnosis of cancer are at least just as important," he said in the interview.
Dr. Deming earned his medical degree at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, and he completed his residency and GI fellowship at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison.