Consultant oncologist clocks up 25 years
A LEAD doctor in cancer care in the island has clocked up a quarter of a century of looking after local patients.
Consultant oncologist Peter Gomes joined the Medical Specialist Group in 2000, and became a partner a year later.
He has been instrumental in the development of the cancer unit in the island.
When he arrived in the island with his wife and two children, Dr Gomes was a dual-accredited consultant physician and medical oncologist.
‘The work initially was exceptionally busy as I was working as both a general physician and oncologist, while setting up a new service single-handed,’ he said.
‘After 10 years I was able to relinquish the general medicine work to fully focus on oncology.
‘The oncology service has gone from strength to strength.’
In 2010 the service moved into a purpose-designed new oncology department on the hospital site and now has three medical oncology consultants.’
Dr Gomes said that over the 25 years technological advances and new drugs had been ‘quite incredible’ with an improvement in outcomes for most cancers.
‘Many advanced cancers are becoming chronic diseases as survival is measured in years, sometimes more than 10 years,’ he said.
‘And many more patients are now cured with advances in adjuvant therapies, especially in the breast cancer field.’
He said he had no plans to retire ‘just yet’. MSG deputy chairwoman Michelle Le Cheminant thanked Dr Gomes for his dedication to the MSG and cancer care to the community.
‘During the last 25 years he has helped many patients through his expertise and compassion, and I have no doubt he will continue to help many more in the years to come. He is a well-respected colleague and has been a pleasure to work with,’ she said.
