Alumna in Focus: Frances Victoria “Ishka” Que (High School 2001)
From the halls of Assumption to the corridors of the country’s leading hospitals, Dr. Frances Victoria “Ishka” Que has journeyed through life guided by faith, purpose, and an unshakable sense of calling. Her story began in childhood, when a beloved aunt’s battle with cancer sparked in her a deep curiosity — and later, a mission — to bring healing and hope to others.
An Assumption alumna through and through, Ishka graduated in 2001 before pursuing BS Biology at the University of the Philippines Manila, then earning her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Santo Tomas, where she also completed her internship and passed the Physician Licensure Examination in 2010. She honed her expertise through Residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Medical Oncology at St. Luke’s Medical Center–Quezon City, before further specializing in Cancer Genetics and Genomic Medicine at the National University Hospital and National Cancer Center in Singapore.
Today, Ishka is a consultant in Medical Oncology and Cancer Genetics & Genomics at St. Luke’s Medical Center–Global City and Quezon City, as well as Makati Medical Center. But beyond her clinical work, she carries the Assumption mission to the farthest reaches of the archipelago — bringing compassion and care through medical missions and caravans that serve underserved communities. Embodying the Assumption vision of being Women of Faith and Action and Called to Lead, Ishka continues to live out her vocation — forging character for life and life for God, one patient, one community, and one act of healing at a time.
Assumpta: How are you Ishka? What are you up to right now?
Ishka: All good! At the moment, I am travelling on a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea 😊 with my Tita, who’s part of my calling and medical journey.
Assumpta: Oh that sounds interesting! Let us hit it.
Ishka: Game!
Assumpta: The Calling – What first inspired you to pursue medicine, and what led you to specialize in oncology?
Ishka: I was around 8 years old when I learned firsthand what cancer was. My mom’s sister noticed that her tummy was getting bigger – I initially was excited that I would have a baby cousin (I was so wrong). I accompanied my tita to the doctor, and I remember when we left the clinic, everyone was crying. I didn’t quite understand why and what the big deal was about cancer, and for the next couple of months we were in and out of the hospital getting treatment for ovarian cancer. Everyday after school I would go to the hospital and stay with my tita until it was time to go home. Fortunately, surgery and chemotherapy worked well for her and she beat the cancer. I like to think that this is a success story in that my Tita was told she had only six months to live, but she’s still alive and well until today. This isn’t necessarily what happens to most patients diagnosed with cancer, but I always have this story to tell whenever people ask me if there is hope. This is exactly the reason why I decided to pursue medicine, and from the beginning I knew that I wanted to specialize in oncology.
Ishka: (con’t) Twenty years later, my tita was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had surgery and chemotherapy. A year later, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and again did surgery and chemotherapy. I was already doing my internal medicine residency then and getting ready to start my medical oncology fellowship. I think my tita pretty much gave me a head start and the drive to finish what I started with all the practice I was getting from her.
In my third year of medical oncology fellowship, I was assigned to work on a clinical trial to do genetic counseling for patients and their family members who might have hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. I made sure that my tita got into the trial (thankfully she didn’t have any genetic mutations). I really enjoyed this assignment, and I am very grateful that my mentors gave me this task, as it was a push towards getting my subspecialty training in cancer genetics and genomics.
Assumpta: The Journey – Looking back, what were some of the biggest challenges in your medical training, and how did those experiences shape you as a doctor?
Ishka: I can’t say that medical training was difficult academically, as I enjoy reading, studying, and learning new things. However, I am an only child and was a very shy kid growing up. I’m very much an introvert, so I think one of the biggest challenges in my medical training was realizing that to be a doctor, you have to talk to so many people! It is crucial to build relationships with your patients and their family members, and to be able to communicate well with them about a very complex disease, in terms that are easily understood. Dealing with cancer also means that death is something that comes sooner or later for most patients and having to deal with mortality on a day-to-day basis is definitely something I find challenging, and to be honest, still something I struggle to accept. So, seeing my patients alive and well is always going to be a win.
Assumpta: The Assumption Spirit and Core Values – Assumption’s vision, mission and ethos — being “Women of Faith and Action,”; “Called to Lead,” and “forging character for life and life for God” — speak of purpose, faith, service, and responsibility as foundations of leadership. How have these values influenced you in your journey as a doctor, both in your hospital practice and in your work with medical missions and caravans across the country?
Ishka: I try to do my best, and I try to do what is right, in everything that I do. I think these values have been instilled in me ever since, from growing up with my family, and going to school in Assumption. These values have definitely influenced my journey as a doctor, where life and death situations are always put in your hands. Making right and ethical decisions are very important, especially in cases where you have to consider benefits vs. risks, side effects, patient preferences, and financial capacity.
Assumpta: Mission Work – Can you share a memorable story from your medical missions or caravans that continues to inspire you today?
Ishka: As I was preparing to go for my subspecialty training abroad, I would take on random assignments here and there. One of my friends invited me to help set up a cancer treatment unit in a hospital in Sultan Kudarat.
At that time, there were no medical oncologists yet in the area, and people would need to drive about 3 hours to get to General Santos City, where the nearest chemotherapy facilities were located. Most people would think that this was a crazy decision, but it was actually fun. I would go to SK over the weekend, every 2-3 weeks. I felt safe and very well taken care of while I was there, and it was also quite fulfilling considering we were bringing a much needed service to a very remote area of the Philippines. Thankfully, some doctors from SK have already finished training in medical oncology, and now there are two medical oncologists serving the area. I don’t go there anymore, but I am still in touch with the hospital making sure they are able to get their nurses and doctors trained and are able to provide quality service in the area.
Assumpta: Healing with Science & Compassion – Precision oncology and cancer genetics are emerging fields — how do you make these concepts approachable and meaningful to your patients?
Ishka: I really enjoyed our high school biology classes, and I remember we used to have a lot of drawings and illustrations to help remember the scientific concepts we were learning about. I think it’s so important to remember that not everyone is into science, and talking about genetics, DNA, cells, and proteins goes over the top of most people’s heads. If you’re able to get a child to understand what you’re talking about, then you’re good, right? When I talk to my patients about precision oncology and cancer genetics, I try to make things simple, and I usually will have a prepared powerpoint with lots of drawings and illustrations to help bring some points across easily.
Assumpta: Life Beyond the White Coat – Outside of the hospital and missions, what do you enjoy doing to recharge? Any hobbies or passions people might be surprised to know?
Ishka: I have always loved animals, and I grew up with a lot of dogs and cats, plus the occasional fish, turtle, hamster, etc. But I love dogs the most. I had a black labrador, Buddy, who kept me company for 13 years, from high school, college, med school, internship and my first year of internal medicine residency. After that, I had a yellow Labrador, Caramel, who kept me company for 11 years, from internal medicine residency, medical oncology fellowship, further subspecialty training in cancer genetics, and a few years into my private practice. Sadly, Caramel died earlier this year because of cancer. I think our vet got used to us being his best customers, so a month after he called and asked whether we wanted to foster a beagle puppy who was abandoned in their clinic.
Joel, our beagle, has been with us for a few months now and is part of the family, just like all the other dogs we’ve had before. It’s amazing how their love is so unconditional in that they’re always so happy to see you, no matter what. Whenever I have free time, I like hanging out with my dog—we walk, play ball, do tricks, go to the park, and just have lots of fun together.
Assumpta: Looking Ahead – What’s your hope for the future of cancer care in the Philippines—and for young AC Girls who may be dreaming of following a similar path?
Ishka: With precision oncology, we are able to tailor a patient’s cancer treatment plan according to their DNA sequence, to determine the best targeted treatments, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery that they would respond well to, with a better side effect profile. We are also able to determine if their family members are at risk, and what they can do early enough to decrease that risk of getting cancer.
Precision oncology is not the future of cancer care, it is happening now. However, we have to always take into account the real-world experience, especially in the Philippines, where we are not able to apply or use the best diagnostic tests or the best treatments all the time, simply because the majority of Filipinos cannot afford it.
In 2018, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act was signed. It states that “the State shall endeavor to prevent cancer and improve cancer survivorship by scaling up essential programs and increasing investments for robust prevention of cancer, better screening, prompt and accurate diagnosis, timely and optimal treatment, responsive palliative care and pain management, effective survivorship care and late effects management and rehabilitation. It shall likewise make cancer treatment and care more equitable and affordable for all, especially for the underprivileged, poor and marginalized Filipinos.”
This is all good on paper, but in reality, most of the patients we see do not have access to a good healthcare system that will take care of them when they are at their most vulnerable. Cancer is a disease that affects not just the body, but also the mind, the spirit, the soul, and the bank account, and not just the patient, but the entire family as well. With cancer and all the politics and corruption going on in the Philippines, it is easy for patients and their family members to lose hope. I think it will take a very big overhaul to change this system, but my hope for the future of cancer care in the Philippines is that every cancer patient and their family members will have access to cancer screening modalities, timely diagnostics, and effective, safe, and affordable treatments.
For young AC girls dreaming of going into healthcare as a career in the future, I’m going to say that it isn’t going to be easy, and training takes years and years of hard work. But seeing even just one patient beat cancer definitely makes everything worth it.
Awesome, Ishka! Being a cancer Survivor myself, your vocation In Can cer Care is So crucial! Thsnk you for embodying assumption’s values for caring for those who may not be able to afford – by reaching Out as In Sultan Kudarat!!!God bless and St Marie Eugenie is smiling In heaven at you!😇🙏🥰