According to the American Cancer Society, cancer can affect nearly 12 million people in one year. The good news is that mortality rates from cancer have been dropping, partly because many types of cancer are being treated more effectively. Oncologists—the physicians who specialize in treating patients with cancer—are on the front lines of the “war on cancer.”
Job Description
Oncologists are medical doctors who are trained to diagnose, manage and treat the different kinds of cancer. They must complete many years of rigorous education and training to gain sufficient knowledge to work in this field. Treating and managing cancer patients is an intensive process that may continue over many years. Some patients may recover, some go into remission for long periods of time, and others do not survive, despite the best treatment. Therefore, those interested in going into oncology should be prepared for the emotional stress of treating patients with a life-threatening condition, as well as the intellectual challenges of working in a rapidly developing and changing medical field.
Oncology Subspecialties
Just as there are many kinds of cancers, there are different kinds of oncologists. The main subspecialties in oncology include:
- Gynecological (cancers of the female reproductive organs)
- Medical (drug or chemotherapy treatments)
- Pediatric (cancers in children)
- Radiation (radiation treatments)
- Surgical (surgical removal of cancer tumors)
Expect to devote one to five years of training in your subspecialty of choice—after finishing eight years of undergraduate and medical school and one to four years in a residency. Becoming an oncologist is a long haul, but if you relish the challenge of working in this exciting and important medical field, it will be worth it. The high salary and professional respect attached to this profession are additional incentives.
Education and Training
- Bachelor’s Degree. A four-year Bachelor's Degree is your first step toward becoming an oncologist. As an aspiring medical student, it is to your advantage to take science classes, including biology, physics and chemistry. Declaring a pre-med major is an option at many schools, though medical schools do not usually require this. In your junior year in college, you should plan to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is a grueling examination that will judge whether you are cut out for a medical school education. Because a passing grade on the MCAT is such an essential component of any medical school application, you must adequately prepare for this one-day test.
- Medical School. Medical school typically takes four years to complete. The first two years are classroom- and laboratory-based, including coursework in anatomy, biology, biochemistry, ethics, pathology, and pharmacology. The last two years are spent in rotations at a hospital or clinic where you will be introduced to standard procedures in the main medical fields and departments, such as pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. You will finish with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.
- Residency and Fellowship. Oncology doctors receive professional training during a residency at a hospital or clinic in internal, pediatric or surgical medicine before narrowing their focus to an oncology subspecialty. A post-residency fellowship under the guidance of professionals in your field of choice is where you will learn about the procedures, technology and treatment protocols in detail.
Each oncology subspecialization has particular residency requirements. For instance, medical oncologists complete a three-year residency in internal medicine and then a two-year fellowship in oncology. Surgical oncologists typically complete a five-year surgical residency followed by a two-year surgical oncology fellowship; some gain additional training in a subsequent fellowship devoted to surgical procedures for breast or lung cancer. Radiation oncologists spend one year in an internal medicine residency and four years in a radiation oncology fellowship. In order to practice, doctors in these specialties must get certified by the appropriate professional board in addition to having a standard medical license.
License and Certification
All medical doctors must be licensed to practice by the state where they work. You must demonstrate that you graduated from an accredited medical school and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE); check with the state where you want to work for additional requirements.
Oncology is considered a medical subspecialty, so you will also need to get certified by a recognized professional organization. For instance, medical oncologists can be certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), pediatric oncologists by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and gynecologic oncologists by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).
Certification requirements include a medical degree from an accredited medical school, completion of a residency and fellowship, a specified amount of clinical experience, and passing an examination. You will need to renew your certification periodically by demonstrating that your knowledge and clinical practice is up to date.
Job Prospects
Oncology doctors are employed in medical centers, general hospitals and hospitals and centers that specialize in cancer care. They also set up private practices as individuals or with other doctors. Oncologists often work closely with other doctors and nurses on a medical team. There are also opportunities in research and teaching. As the U.S. population ages, the need for oncologists is expected to grow.
Salary
According to the American Medical Association, oncologists earn annual salaries between $290,000 and $410,000, with some subspecialties, such as radiation oncology, paying higher wages.
Research in genetics, biotechnology, and targeted therapies continues to change the way we diagnose and treat cancer. The dream of eradicating cancer probably won’t be realized for a long time, if ever, but oncologists have made amazing progress in lowering mortality rates and improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. If you want to play a part in this medical battle, think about jobs in oncology.