The doctor who became the patient

Dr Steven Hocken

As an anaesthetic registrar preparing for his final specialist exams, Dr Steven Hocken thought he knew what lay ahead.

Instead, he found himself facing a life-altering diagnosis that would change his life forever.

After experiencing several months of pain, Steven underwent an urgent colonoscopy.

“I was watching the screen as the colonoscope went in and it immediately showed a large tumour,” he said.

Further testing confirmed metastatic bowel cancer. At 35 years old, Steven was told the cancer was inoperable and given a prognosis of just a few years.

For someone who had spent his career caring for others, suddenly becoming the patient gave him a new perspective.

“My journey as the patient has taught me innumerable practice-changing lessons, from how I manage a pain crisis to advice I give before major surgery,” Steven said.

“Being able to understand the patient side of healthcare grants a level of empathy few can match.”

After a year of intensive chemotherapy, surgery and significant complications, Steven achieved what once seemed impossible—his metastases disappeared.

Steven’s stoma was reversed a year ago and he finished his training, becoming a full-time anaesthetic consultant several months ago. While the possibility of cancer returning remains, Steven’s focus is firmly on the present.

“My plan is to work as an anaesthetist in Caboolture for the foreseeable future,” he said.

“The threat of my cancer coming back is always present, but I am living as much of my life now and really appreciating my wife and kids.”

Steven’s experience has reinforced the importance of compassion, connection and seeing healthcare through the eyes of the people who need it most.

Today, Steven is back doing what he loves as an Anaesthetic Consultant at Caboolture Hospital, having completed his specialist training after a remarkable recovery.

His journey into healthcare began long before his cancer diagnosis. Fascinated by human biology in high school, Steven was drawn to medicine by the opportunity to use science to help people.

Steven started his healthcare career as an Assistant-in-Nursing before becoming an intensive care nurse. Returning to Caboolture after completing his specialist training was always part of the plan.

“Of the seven hospitals I rotated through, the Caboolture team was the most friendly, collegiate and caring,” he said.