Breast cancer after childhood cancer.

TO THE EDITOR: It goes without saying that Levinson and Lurie’s Perspective, “When Most Doctors Are Women: What Lies Ahead?” (1), has created a great deal of interest and, particularly with physicians who are women, a great deal of discussion. My choice of words in the previous sentence, however, really highlights the problem— these women are physicians. We should not attach the label “women physicians.” We certainly have never used the label “men physicians.” A major disappointment in Levinson and Lurie’s article was the lack of hard data or even very specific studies. Our major concern for the future should be that we continue to have enough physicians who are very well trained and dedicated to their profession. Physicians are people, with the varied interests, skills, and abilities that exist in the human race. It is most likely true that a smaller proportion of physicians who happen to be women choose the strenuous and ambitious careers available in medicine and science. What we must safeguard is the right of physicians who are women to choose such pathways if they so desire. Certainly, when a greater proportion of physicians and scientists were men, wonderful things were achieved. More recently, there have been some wonderful achievements by women in medicine and science. Other influences probably now affect both men and women who have made dedicated commitments to medicine and science. Overall, we have a more relaxed approach to living than have previous generations, enjoying the arts, sports, and family. More particularly for physicians, many of the recent requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education may curtail the contributions of young physicians in their postdegree training, both as residents and fellows. These regulations are affecting career choices and commitments for both men and women. Last, Levinson and Lurie commented that in Russia and other countries, “medicine has long been dominated by women.” It should be recognized that overall the training of physicians in these countries was not of the highest standards; hospitals and facilities were very poor. Therefore, these comments were not relevant. The authors do admit that various problems have not yet been adequately analyzed. I and other physicians at my institution who are women hope that the publication of Levinson and Lurie’s Perspective will provide a stimulus for thinking and debate. We also hope it will yield some good advice that can be used by all physicians, both men and women.