Giovanni Luigi Pastorino, the winner of the 2023 ‘Best Student’ Award in Naples, talk about his experience at the ESMO Course in Medical Oncology for Medical Students.
What was your main reason for applying to join the course?
Since I did a two-week internship at a Medical Oncology unit of a hospital near my home during high school, I have always been interested in this field and eager to learn more about clinical practice and cancer biology. In addition to this, I was excited at the idea of meeting other students from other European countries who had the same interests as me and being able to discuss these topics with them.
What was your take home message from the five days?
The importance of keeping up to date and teamwork. As a future professional, you have to stay tuned with the latest updates in science and clinical practice. This is particularly true regarding medical oncology, as clinical practice changes very fast, and new potential therapies are discovered almost every year. This is of paramount importance for building a good career and for patient care. What is even more important is being able to work in a team since you cannot always make a correct diagnosis for each patient and arrange treatment without consulting your colleagues. Moreover, it is essential not only to collaborate with your team, but also to build a network of connections with professionals all around the world.
Why are you interested in medical oncology?
I am a curious person, and I always try to find an explanation for everything. That is the reason why I have always been fascinated by medical research, and I think Medical Oncology is the best specialty that allows me to fulfill my desire for medical knowledge. My interests lie mainly in translational research since I am enthusiastic about the idea of translating scientific findings into clinical practice. Moreover, since I started my studies at med school, I have always been interested in how cancer cells work and interact with the surrounding tissue and the immune system. Another aspect I like about oncology, is the incessant progress of patient care. I hope things will become better and better in the future, and the idea of being part of this process really excites me. Last but not least, is the human side. We are not fighting against cancer, we are taking care of people, and I find it a truly life-changing experience to deal with oncological patients and to help them through their disease.
How do you feel about having a professional society, such as ESMO, supporting you in your professional development?
I had the opportunity to get in touch with ESMO during this course, and I think it is an astonishing society. I feel very excited and comfortable to be part of such a great organization that provides me with education and gives me the opportunity to get in touch with other realities. It is also able to raise the enthusiasm for both basic and clinical research by organizing courses and meetings. This is of paramount importance because research is the engine that drives the development of patient care. Moreover, ESMO is helping professionals and students to create links and collaboration between different countries, thus making the spread of knowledge easier and faster. I am definitely excited about the possibility of becoming part of this society in the future and eager to give my personal contribution.
Would you recommend this course and why?
I strongly recommend this course to everyone interested in treating or studying cancer. However, it is not only about empowering your medical knowledge. The course is a truly international experience, where you have the possibility to meet people from all over Europe, and to learn about different habits and different ways of studying medicine. Personally, I met lots of smart and dedicated people and we shared a great time together. I hope one day I will have the opportunity to work with some of them. It has been a wonderful experience all around and I am grateful to ESMO and to my mentors for giving me the opportunity to participate.