What does it take to pursue oncologist career? Essay

Oncologist
What does it take to pursue this career?
Introduction
Imagine being diagnosed with cancer and having to go through multiple treatments to survive. Approximately 1.3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year (Oncologists 117). Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the US, but because of oncologists, 14 million people have overcome cancer and are living longer, happier lives. Oncologists are physicians who have a unique work environment, excellent salary, and must have successfully completed up to 10 years of post high school education.
The History of Cancer
Cancer goes back to early Greek and Roman writings with the descriptions of diseases. We also see tumors found in fossilized bones in mummies in ancient Egypt. Cancer starts when the cells in a certain body tissue start to turn abnormal and grow out of control. A Greek physician called the Father of Medicine, also known as Hippocrates, used words like carcinos and carcinoma to describe cancer. He used those terms because the origin of the word in Greek is crab. The cancer projections that they would see after a scan looked just like the shape of a crab. Later on a man named Galen used oncos, "(""swelling"" in Greek")" to describe tumors. Since then the term is now used in the "word" specialist, oncologist.
Oncologists have many steps in the history of cancer that led to today's current techniques. In the 18th century anesthesia was made which allowed surgery to start and new operations were created. This was a crucial step in the future of cancer because now cancer could be removed and more victims of cancer could survive. In the 19th century doctors started to use microscopes to study the cancerous tissues. This was very important because the tissues could now be examined to give exact diagnoses. They also gained more understanding of the damages in cancer. In the 20th century, we start to see improvements in the treatment of patients and earlier detection. Today, physicians use miniature video cameras to look inside the body. One example is the endoscope which is a device that can remove tumors through natural body openings. Back then, cancer patients would rarely survive, but today we have a better understanding and can treat cancer better (The History of Cancer). Cancer patients can now get full recovery and live happier, longer lives with the help of oncologists. Oncologists are a big reason for today's survival for tumors.
What do oncologists do?
Oncologists are physicians that study, diagnose, and treat tumors that are caused by cancer. They interact with the patients and look out for them and their overall care/ treatment throughout the whole time of their disease. They have to also explain complicated information to the patients and family in a clear and direct fashion. Oncologists are separated into three primary areas in clinical oncology medical, surgical, and radiation. Although they are separated, they all have to work together to most efficiently help care for the patients (Oncologists 117).