Juanita Crook91裸聊视频檚 lifelong love of learning has propelled her to become one of the province91裸聊视频檚 foremost experts on breast cancer, but her passion for medicine wasn91裸聊视频檛 immediately obvious in her early life.
91裸聊视频淕rowing up, I was interested in science and biology, but also literature and languages. I didn91裸聊视频檛 know I91裸聊视频檇 pursue medicine until the end of my second year at the University of Toronto91裸聊视频攖hat91裸聊视频檚 when I decided that the most interesting aspect of biology involved human beings.91裸聊视频�
Now a professor of radiation oncology at UBC and an oncologist with the B.C. Cancer Agency, Crook91裸聊视频檚 career path came about as much by fate as by choice.
91裸聊视频淚 enjoyed a lot of different specialties and I originally trained to be a general practitioner,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淏ut due to social circumstances, I had to stay in Toronto for a year after graduating.
91裸聊视频淪o for that year I worked as a medical assistant at Princess Margaret Hospital and that91裸聊视频檚 where I first became interested in oncology.91裸聊视频�
Through some act of fate, Crook met Dr. Jean-Philippe Pignol at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, where she first learned of brachytherapy.
A common treatment for prostate cancer, brachytherapy involves the surgical insertion of radioactive time-release capsules that directly irradiate cancerous cells without harming healthy tissues.
Dr. Pignol had adapted the technique for use in breast cancer cases and together, Pignol and Crook worked on several early treatments.
91裸聊视频淲hen I moved to British Columbia, Dr. Pignol approached me and asked if I91裸聊视频檇 be interested in establishing that program here. It91裸聊视频檚 quite a different skill-set. It91裸聊视频檚 ultrasound-guided and the needle insertion is fairly basic, but the breast is very different from the prostate, so there was a learning curve,91裸聊视频� she said.
Crook, who is now well known in the medical community for bringing the treatment west, says that advancing the treatment also involved challenges such as obtaining ethics approval and funding the procedure. The treatment isn91裸聊视频檛 yet considered a standard approach in breast cancer cases and as a result, it91裸聊视频檚 typically funded through donations rather than through insurance coverage.But, despite the difficulties, Crook has stayed committed to making the treatment available to the women under her care. An avid runner, she participated in the 2013 BMO Okanagan Marathon and raised $77,000 in donations to fund brachytherapy for breast cancer patients91裸聊视频攕omething that she says is improving patients91裸聊视频� quality of life.
91裸聊视频淚 was actually somewhat surprised at how successful the fundraising was. As a result, I91裸聊视频檝e been able to keep offering women this treatment for early-stage localized breast cancer. The first step (in a standard breast cancer treatment) is to remove the lump and assess the lymph nodes and then radiate the whole breast. But the technique I91裸聊视频檝e invented makes it easy to target the tumor.91裸聊视频�
Crook says that thanks to brachytherapy, it91裸聊视频檚 possible to administer a full course of radiation therapy in a single, one-hour outpatient procedure. In contrast, standard radiation procedures typically require a series of daily appointments over the course of three to five weeks.
Crook is also passionate about teaching this new procedure to British Columbia91裸聊视频檚 next generation of oncologists. As an oncology professor with UBC91裸聊视频檚 Faculty of Medicine, she is in a prime position to show medical students not only the many benefits of brachytherapy, but also the many procedures and precautions involved in performing brachytherapy safely and well.
While her work in medicine may be demanding, Crook is committed to living a balanced life and she places a high priority on her physical and mental health. Aside from hiking, canoeing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing, she91裸聊视频檚 also an avid marathon runner. Crook notes that running marathons is a great way to stay in shape and take time to relax.
In addition to practicing and teaching medicine, Crook works hard to make health knowledge available to the general public. She regularly speaks at information sessions for those looking to learn more about cancer and oncology and she91裸聊视频檚 a frequent guest speaker at prostate and breast cancer support groups in Kelowna and Vernon.
Throughout her years in practice, one central life lesson has guided her to make successful treatments available to patients and to help her become one of the most respected physicians in her field: Constant analysis.
91裸聊视频淎lways evaluate the results of what you91裸聊视频檙e doing in an ongoing way 91裸聊视频� that91裸聊视频檚 how you find out where you can improve. That91裸聊视频檚 how you make a lot of progress.91裸聊视频�
Crook91裸聊视频檚 focus on analysis is what is driving her to start new programs and protocols in cancer research and treatment91裸聊视频攁nd that91裸聊视频檚 what keeps her interested in her work.
91裸聊视频淩esearch is a big part of what I do and it91裸聊视频檚 clinical research91裸聊视频攊t91裸聊视频檚 not lab-based. It91裸聊视频檚 keeping track of what the problems are and how to improve them.91裸聊视频�
And while her passion for her work is obvious, she says that having a personal life is essential to staying productive and happy. For Dr. Juanita Crook, that looks like hiking, canoeing, painting and snowboarding.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 important to not be too consumed by the work aspect of your life, even if you love it. It91裸聊视频檚 a huge part of you, yes, but it91裸聊视频檚 not the only part.91裸聊视频�
Crowe MacKay91裸聊视频檚 Women to Watch program is a weekly feature that profiles remarkable women in our community. This feature series is a joint initiative between Crowe MacKay, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the 91裸聊视频. To nominate the exceptional woman in your life, email womentowatch@kelownachamber.org.
