An oncologist is a doctor whom specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using various types of therapy. An oncologist is often the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may produce treatment given by other specialists. Oncologists have typically completed an internal medicine residency after graduating medical school, followed by an oncology fellowship. They may also choose to earn board certification to show that they are professionally educated as oncologists. Medical oncologists coordinate a course of treatment for cancer patients with the rest of their oncology team. They prescribe various types of treatment, such as chemotherapy, medications and hormones to help cure and get rid of cancer. Typical job duties include making cancer diagnoses, keeping records of patient test results and physical examinations, writing prescriptions, providing specific cancer information to patients, monitoring treatment plans. Medical oncologists explain cancer development …show more content…
If you are thinking or planning about becoming an oncologist, you must be prepared to spend 4 years obtaining a medical degree plus an additional 2-4 years in an oncology residency program at a cancer hospital. The ability to listen to a patient and explain sometimes very complicated procedures in the simplest form to patients is a must. An oncologist must be able to have compassion as mentioning cancer can be a very touchy subject. Expressing real sympathy for the patient in their time of need is a quality skill required. An ongoing changing knowledge is a must as developments in studies are constantly changing. New drugs become available all the time and drug trials may also be available to those patients who may qualify. Oncologists often face stressful