In conversation with Dr Ntomboxolo Mboyi

Q1- Tell us about yourself and why you chose to become a Doctor?

I am kind and loving with humility being one of my strongest traits. I’m quite assertive, hardworking and confident. It was my parents’ dream and wish for me to become a Doctor and it turned out to be what I love to do.

Q2- What are some of your achievements to date?

I have managed to become a medical professional which is a big achievement on its own and I further specialised as an Oncologist. Currently, I am running my practice which I started 10 years ago and it has given me the skills to be a businesswoman. I have also been involved in creating awareness around the disease and also became the chairperson of an NPO for cancer survivors called Can Survive. I further studied cancer research which I believe is fundamental in finding a cure for cancer and I’m also about to publish one of many articles on prostate brachytherapy and other diseases.

Q3- What helped you decide on your specific field of speciality, that being oncology.

I bumped into the speciality by chance and was recruited by a wonderful colleague whilst doing community service at the Leratong hospital in Johannesburg. During my training, it became clear that it was the best decision and I have since had no regrets. I also had very close relatives that I lost to cancer and because there was no cure it ignited a curiosity in me as to why the disease poses such a huge challenge and is one of the fundamental questions in medicine and biology.

Q4- What are the unique and different skills you have as a doctor that set you apart from others?

Humility, empathy, kindness, always striving for excellence and putting the patient first.

Q5- What is your planning for the future and medicine regarding the advancement of cancer treatments?

I’m always trying my best to keep up with innovations and treatment regimens by reading and attending conferences and meetings. The advancement of cancer research in the last decade has been outstanding and I was privileged to be taught by the greatest scientists whose goal is to ultimately find a cure for the disease and they’ve achieved so much to date to improve clinical outcomes. I intend to continue pursuing this. For me, the future includes artificial intelligence which could play a bigger role in medicine.

Q6- What are some of the biggest challenges of being an oncologist?

Not having all the answers for your patients and being exposed to their fears, anxiety and pain. Cancer is a very complex disease that as an oncologist you need to unravel and not use a blanket approach. Treatment is very expensive and leaves us in a predicament of not being able to provide our patients with the best treatment possible.

Q7- Can you tell us the most rewarding aspect of your job and how you try to incorporate positivity into your field of work?

Personally, the opportunity and capacity to engage with other human beings during one of the scariest and most vulnerable times is a unique blessing and brings me deep satisfaction. Being taught the value of humility and the ability to treat the patient until they go into remission and be able to go on with life is most rewarding.

Q8- What advice would you give to those considering a career in medicine?

“Go for it only if you are passionate about it!”

Dr Ntomboxolo Mboyi has a BSc (UKZN), MBCHB (Medunsa), Fc Rad Onc (SA), and is a Postgraduate in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics: High Impact Cancer Research Program (Harvard Medical School). She is likewise an individual from the South African Oncology Consortium (SAOC), South African Society of Clinical and Radiation oncology (SASCRO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) and a Chairperson of the leading body of CanSurvive (non-benefit association offering support to patients).