How to Become an Oncologist
An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer patients. Typical duties include examining patients, requesting tests and analyzing the results, presenting treatment options to patients, treating patients and coordinating treatment with other doctors. The training and knowledge of an oncologist is complex.
To become an oncologist, you first need a bachelor's degree. Useful classes to take are chemistry, biology, human anatomy and genetics. You then need to apply to medical school, complete the four-year program and complete internships and residencies, which could take between three and eight years. You then need to pass state licensing exams.
Besides knowledge gained from school and residencies, oncologists need to have compassion and empathy for their patients. Oncologists need to be able to operate as part of a team because they work with other doctors, nurses, orderlies and lab technicians.
You can also choose to specialize in a certain type of cancer treatment. Some oncologists specialize in lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma or leukemia.