Oncologists are physicians that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Oncology itself is the study of cancer. There are three types of oncologists: medical, clinical, and surgical. Together all of these roles create a team of doctors who help to treat a patient with cancer.
Types of Oncologists
Medical oncologists are the ones who are with their patients every step of the way in the journey. They start with diagnosing the cancer to treating patients and assisting with the aftercare. They are the ones who actually diagnose the cancer, and assist with the treatment of it. Many medical oncologists end up going into a speciality. For example there are orthopedic oncologists. Orthopedic oncologists specialize in treatments of bone cancer and the soft tissue of the musculoskeletal system. They also help to treat cancer that has traveled to the bone from other parts of a patient’s body.
The second type are clinical oncologists. Clinical oncologists are the ones who specialize in using radiation therapy. They aren’t the ones who diagnose the patient but they are the ones who assist with the choosing of the treatment and carrying the treatment out. Clinical oncologists have the option of focusing on research and/or the treatment of a specific cancer (for example pancreatic cancer. They can focus on the treatment and research of that). There are no recognized subspecialties for clinical oncology.
Lastly, there are surgical oncologists. Surgical oncologists are the ones who use surgical techniques and skills to remove the tissue or organ that the cancer is affecting. For this pathway however you must complete general surgery and then specialize in surgical oncology.
Skills You’ll Need
Those who do wish to pursue a career to become an oncologist need to have certain skills. Empathy and compassion are a big part of the job. Most of the patients that oncologists see are often dealing with a terminal illness and emotions would be running high at the time. Furthermore, a person would need to have good communication skills. Oncologists are the ones who deliver the news to the patient that they have cancer. They are the ones that walk a patient through possible treatment options and help guide them through the whole process. It is absolutely necessary to have a strong communication skill with your patient and possibly your team. Often there are groups of doctors who work together to help a patient with their illness. A person who would want to be an oncologist needs to have a team oriented mindset along with strong communication skills.
A Day in Life
An oncologist working week is mostly clinically focused. Most of the time an oncologist is in direct patient contact. Medical oncologists meet with patients frequently to discuss treatment, and meet with their teams to discuss the course of a patient’s treatment. Clinical oncologists often spend time planning radiotherapy for patients and well as collaborating with medical oncologists regarding treatment plans. Although the profession can be rewarding at times, oncologists are often exposed to death and suffering as well as long hours to help manage a patient’s condition.
The Pathway
The pathway to become an oncologist is extensive and demanding. To begin you must obtain a Bachelor’s degree (about 3 to 4 years), then complete medical school (4 years). Getting into medical school is a difficult and rigorous process. It involves having a stellar application, high grades, extracurriculars, an exceptional MCAT score, and relevant research experience.
Once medical school is completed, a residency in internal medicine must be done (about 3 years). To be eligible for residency in the United States, a person must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
After completing residency, a person must then complete a fellowship program in oncology (2-3 years), to gain hands-on experience with diagnosing cancer patients and treating them.
Lastly, a person must obtain their license to practice in a state. Obtaining a license often includes passing the exam, and continuously meeting other education requirements.
My Take
Becoming a medical oncologist has become my career of choice because of the skills that are needed with it and the research that comes along with it. Oncology is a growing field that is in need of doctors and it is one that personally fascinates me. Oncologists are able to save people with potentially serious cancers and work together as a team. Oncologists tend to have a good work-life balance which is something that I prioritize and work together as a team to help get a patient the best treatment possible.
Interested? Here’s Some Sources to Explore:
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-an-oncologist
https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/orthopedic-cancer
https://www.newscientist.com/nsj/article/how-to-become-an-oncologist-a-new-scientist-careers-guide
https://www.joinleland.com/library/a/how-to-become-oncologist-a-comprehensive-guide