This article explores the career pathways of women in the field of surgical oncology, specifically their growth and development as surgical oncologists. Nine global female surgical oncologists and experts in Peritoneal Surface Oncology (PSO) share personal reflections of the challenges and facilitators of career success in this challenging and highly specialized field of surgery.
Methods: Nine high profile female surgeons with expertise in PSO were recruited by direct contact with the lead author and asked to provide a detailed reflection of their career pathways, with a focus on barriers and facilitators to success.
Results: Most participants were highly driven, motivated by the poor prognosis of the disease early in their careers and the new opportunities PSO offered. Many moved between units or countries in search of training, often sacrificing work-life balance. Strong role models-usually male-were cited as mentors, and many participants now lead the units they helped establish. None expressed regrets, and all took pride in the advances achieved during their careers. While some women mentioned gender bias, most felt that within PSO, surgical skills and commitment outweighed such barriers.
Conclusions: These reflections should provide encouragement to the next generation of aspiring surgical oncologists to pursue their desire to enter this challenging area of surgery in the future.
Keywords: Careers; Education; Female surgeon; Peritoneal surface malignancy.
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