Burnout is a serious problem facing the majority of oncologists. Many medical students may regard oncology as depressive part of medicine. This false picture may discourage them from choosing oncology as their future specialization. To learn problems experienced by oncologists and to answer the students’ question: is it dangerous to choose oncology? We conducted an anonymous survey among 69 oncologists. Young doctors (up to 5 years of service) accounted for 31 %, specialists 69 %, with a median length of practice of 14 years. The most frequently reported symptoms included irritability (84 %) and tension (74 %). Forty-five percent reported headaches, 25 % sleep disorders, 51 % negative impact on their personal lives. Excessive bureaucratization, overwork, and haste, with the disparity between undertaken effort and compensation were the most common sources of stress. Stress reduction methods were as follows: their relationship with family and/or friends (69 %), reading books/watching movies (66 %), emotional distance from their problems (63 %), and contact with nature (62 %). Ninety-six percent of physicians were satisfied with their choice of pursuing work with cancer patients. However, as many as 49 % of oncologists experienced moments of doubt regarding their sense of vocation. Students and young doctors considering pursuing an oncological speciality should not be discouraged by the likely degree of sacrifice or burden, but rather aim to develop effective ways to reduce stress, along with remembering one’s own health needs. This could be valuable part of both pregradual and postgradual medical education, worth to become part of medical curricula.

Breast reconstruction (BR) should be offered and discussed to each woman with breast cancer who planned for mastectomy, except the cases with severe comorbidities. However, the majority of these patients do not undergo reconstructive surgery. A 20-question survey was administered to a group of 50 women (age 29–83 years, median 53) treated with mastectomy. 22.4 % underwent reconstruction of the breast, 24.5 % declared an interest in BR in the future, 53.1 % were not interested in reconstructive surgery. 51.2 % obtained information concerning BR before surgery, 58.1 % after and 44.2 % both before and after mastectomy. 59.2 % were informed about reimbursement. Information given before surgery had a statistically significant impact on performing reconstruction or a declared interest in BR (X 2 = 4.950, df = 1, p < 0.05), as well as information about reimbursement (X 2 = 8.875, df = 1, p < 0.05). Age <55 years was another significant factor (X 2 = 13.522, df = 1, p < 0.05, C Pearson = 0.525). Level of education did not impact upon the choice (p > 0.05). The main reasons for the refusal were fear of complications (47.4 %), priority to recovery over aesthetic (36.8 %), age, defined by the patient as “advanced” (31.6 %), high level of acceptance of the body after amputation (31.6 %), fear of cancer recurrence (26.3 %) and fear of the pain and discomfort (15.8 %). Each patient who planned for mastectomy should obtain sufficient information regarding breast reconstruction. Exact information is of special benefit to women discouraged by imagined disadvantages of surgery. Patients’ education impacts the quality of life—not only before surgery but also lifelong after finishing the treatment.

No abstract

The published article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of Fig. 2 was incorrect. However, this error has been corrected in the referenced article.