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Oncologist
Oncology is the study of tumours and cancers. Oncologists are medical doctors who specialize in the study and treament of cancerous tumours. They consult other specialists such as radiologists, surgeons and pathologists, and decide on the course of treatment. They are often called upon to confirm diagnoses suggested by other medical professionals.
They manage the treatment of patients who have cancer and need radiotherapy, chemotherapy or x-ray treatment.
A radiation oncologist is a physician who specializes in treating cancer through radiation therapies and methods. Radiation oncologists investigate the use of x-rays, electrons and gamma rays to destroy cancer. Radiation therapy is used on most types of cancers including breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, brain tumours and others.
Roughly half of all cancer patients need radio- or chemotherapy at some time during their illness. For those with incurable cancers, the treatment helps patients deal with their symptoms. For example, if they have pain in their bones, radiotherapy can be a very useful treatment. Radical treatment is a method used to try and cure patients. Thus radiation oncologists use a mixture of very aggressive treatment for people who have a good chance of being cured, and very simple treatments for people who have incurable cancer but still need treatment and help.
Radiation therapy involves various kinds of radiation treatment techniques. The most common types of radiation therapy are three-dimensional treatment planning, external beam radiation, IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery, prostate seed implants, brachytherapy and concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The oncologist selects the most effective radiation technique for each particular patient, to destroy abnormal (cancer) cells while sparing the normal surrounding tissue. The process of these treatments is not painful as patients cannot see, smell, taste, hear or feel the radiation treatment.
In many cases, radiation therapy is combined with surgery and chemotherapy to achieve the best outcome. When patients come to a radiation oncologist, they have usually just had surgery or a biopsy. The oncologist will often spend about an hour with the patient just talking about the problem and what the most appropriate therapy is. If a patient needs radiotherapy, the radiation oncologist will plan that treatment. This may involve using computers because some tumours are in sensitive areas such as the throat and the treatment has to be planned very carefully to avoid areas such as the spinal cord and the brain.
Radiation oncologists use three-dimensional images to work out precisely where the tumour and the normal tissue are, so the treatment does not have unnecessary side effects. Radiation therapists carry out the actual treatment that oncologists prescribe. During radiation treatment, the oncologist generally sees the patient about once a week to make sure that they are alright, and to help manage any side effects they might have. They also care for their patients after treatment, until the patient is fully recovered. With all the new technological developments, oncologists can now cure cancers that were incurable 20 years ago.
Satisfying Aspects
- active involvement in curing and helping patients with serious illnesses
- working as part of the medical profession in a very specialised field
Demanding aspects
- working long hours
- being on call over weekends and holidays
- emotional strain of working with terminally ill patients
- many years of study required
- having to keep abreast of new technology in their field
Requirements
- have emotional strength and maturity
- have excellent communication skills
- get along well with people and instill confidence
- have the intellectual ability to successfully complete the required academic training
- have the stamina required to work long hours
- accurate and meticulous
- able to make sound decisions in an emergency
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences
Recommended Subjects: Life Sciences
Note: Competition to enter medical studies is stiff and there are usually many applicants with excellent grades who would naturally be given preference.
Training
MBChB degree at UP, UCT, UFS, Wits, US, UL, UKZN:
- Theoretical training: 6 years
- Student internship: 1 year
- Practical work at a hospital: 1 year (also known as the house doctor year).
Postgraduate study, 3 - 5 years - UFS, Wits, UP, US, UL for specialization.
Additional Requirements: before commencing post-graduate study for specialization as an oncologist, it is necessary to:
- be in possession of a MBChB degree for 2 years
- be registered as a medical doctor with the Interim Medical and Dental Council (IMDC) of South Africa for 1 year.
Registration:
On successful completion of the examination to qualify as a specialist, the candidate must register with the IMDC as an oncologist.
Employer
- universities and colleges
- education and government departments
- business and industry
- research organizations
- consulting agencies
- hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities
- private practice
Contact
Cancer Association of South Africa - CANSA
P O Box 2121
Bedfordview, 2008
26 Concorde Road West
Bedfordview, 2008
Tel : (011) 616-7662 Fax: (011) 622-3424
South African Oncology Consortium
Falcon Office Park, Block 3
142 South Street
Centurion
P O Box 10053
Centurion, 0046
Tel: (012) 667-2067
Fax: (012) 667-2073
Cell Phone: 083 283 3317
www.saoc.org.za
www.cansa.org.za