In this episode of On Coffee, Vahe Grigoryan, Editorial Director of OncoDaily, speaks with Dr. Imène Hadji, Clinical Research Lead in Digestive and Medical Oncology at Hôpital Paul-Brousse. They talk about the things medical training cannot fully prepare you for, from treating patients who do not fit neatly into guidelines to navigating uncertainty, mentorship, and the human side of oncology.
They discuss how experience can make oncologists more comfortable with uncertainty, why discussing difficult cases with colleagues matters, and how mentorship can shape both career direction and personal growth. Imène also shares her turning point at ASCO 2024, the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, and why ambition needs to be balanced with focus.
The conversation also explores burnout, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, relationships with the pharmaceutical industry, and the importance of understanding the people delivering cancer care, not just the science of cancer itself. They also discuss cancer prevention, screening, multilingual communication, and how speaking a patient’s language can build trust and emotional connection.
And, of course, there is plenty of On Coffee personality along the way, from Algerian coffee and green tea to life outside medicine, finding time to slow down, and the mentor who left a lasting impact on Imène’s life.