Getting the right answer from the internet does not always bring up the right answer sometimes. This is largely because the internet is filled with lots of information that is not always from credible sources. Now, if you’ve been searching for information on phd in radiation oncology then the article below brings you all you need to know and more.
Oncologists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. Oncologists are often the main health care provider for someone who has cancer.
What is this career like?
Many oncologists work long and irregular hours. Oncologists may travel between their offices and hospitals to care for their patients. While on call, they may need to address a patient’s concerns over the phone or make an emergency visit to a hospital or nursing home.
Some of the things an oncologist might do:
- Take a patient’s medical history
- Update charts and patient information to show current findings and treatments
- Order tests for nurses or other healthcare staff to perform
- Review test results to identify any abnormal findings
- Recommend and design a plan of treatment
- Address concerns or answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being
- Help patients take care of their health by discussing topics such as proper nutrition and hygiene
What skills are needed?
- Communication skills: Oncologists need to be excellent communicators. They must communicate effectively with their patients and other healthcare support staff.
- Compassion: Patients who are sick or injured may be in extreme pain or distress. Oncologists must treat patients and their families with compassion and understanding.
- Detail oriented: Patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications. Oncologists must accurately monitor and record various pieces of information related to patient care.
- Dexterity: Oncologists may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences.
- Leadership skills: Oncologists who work in their own practice must manage a staff of other professionals.
- Organizational skills: Good recordkeeping and other organizational skills are critical in both medical and business settings.
- Patience. Oncologists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention: Persons who fear medical treatment may require more patience.
- Physical stamina: Oncologists should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks.
- Problem-solving skills: Oncologists need to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments. They need to do this quickly if a patient’s life is threatened.
What is the career outlook?
Overall employment of all physicians and surgeons, including oncologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
Prospects should be especially good for oncologists who are willing to practice in rural and low-income areas because these areas tend to have difficulty attracting physicians.
What education is required?
Oncologists typically need a bachelor’s degree, a degree from a medical school, which takes 4 years to complete, and, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.
Medical schools are highly competitive. Most applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider an applicant’s personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require applicants to interview with members of the admissions committee.
Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, medical ethics, and in the laws governing medicine. They also gain practical skills; learning to take medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses.
During their last 2 years, medical students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, they gain experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses in a variety of areas.
Discover some of the courses you will take pursuing a popular pre-med degree such as Biology, Chemistry, or Sociology.
Essential Information
Although a doctoral degree in oncology does not exist, students interested in clinical research might opt for a doctoral program in cancer biology, while students interested in working with cancer patients from a medical standpoint might opt for medical school and a residency program in radiological oncology.
Any doctoral program requires a master’s degree in biology or a closely related field. Master’s programs are usually two years in length, while the doctorate program takes three to five years and requires a dissertation. Medical school requires a bachelor’s degree, and is four years in length plus three years of residency. Either of these programs may also require professional experience or specific course prerequisites.
Doctor of Philosophy in Cancer Biology
Programs focus on training experimental clinical scientists in researching the causes and potential cures for various cancers. Clinical scientists work with licensed medical doctors in making treatments applicable for patient utilization. Programs foster analytical thinking and problem solving abilities while allowing for creative, forward-thinking research.
Students attend professional networking conferences, participate in student organizations, conduct independent research projects and attend informative lectures covering the following topics:
- Research methods
- Medical advances in oncology
- Genetics and cancer
- Immunology
- Current oncological practices
Residency Programs in Radiological Oncology
Residency programs are intended for doctors in training. Residents are graduates of an accredited medical school program who are interested in pursuing a specialization in radiation oncology. Programs stress active participation in the practice of radiological oncology in a hospital setting. While students do engage in clinical research, the focus of a residency program is patient care.
In lieu of structured courses, residents actively participate in rounds and a specified set of rotations as outlined by the college or university. Students perform extensive clinical research and attend informational conferences and clinical seminars. Some programs may require residents to lead a conference seminar. Typical rotation areas include:
- Medical oncology
- Oncological pathology
- Diagnostic imaging
- Radiological biology
Popular Career Options
Graduates of a doctoral program in cancer biology often gravitate towards positions in cancer laboratory research or academia. While a doctoral degree may not be essential to some research positions, individuals looking to teach at the college or university level will find it a valuable asset. Some popular careers include:
- Independent researcher
- Professor
- Technical writer
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
Due to the overall growth of the healthcare industry, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted a 4% increase in jobs for physicians and surgeons from 2019-2029. According to the BLS, the average annual salary of physicians and surgeons, including oncologists, was $218,850 in May of 2020.
Continuing Education
Although a doctoral degree is the most advanced degree awarded in cancer biology, students can obtain other master’s, doctoral or medical degrees. Advanced degrees often allow for a greater number of job opportunities and the potential for a higher base salary.
Aspiring doctor’s wishing to specialize in oncology can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Cancer Biology or a residency program in radiological oncology after medical school. Both programs require extensive training in the field, and graduates may choose to work in research, academia or as practicing physicians and surgeons.Next: View SchoolsLink to this page
Oncology Guide
Popular Schools
The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users.
An admission advisor from each school can provide more info about:
- programs & curriculum
- career opportunities
- tuition & financial aid
- admissions & starting dates
- 1Wayne State UniversitySchool InfoSchool locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at Wayne State University include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master’s Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- General Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- Neurobiology and Neurophysiology
- Oncology
- PathologyGet Started with Wayne State UniversityResearch Wayne State University’s Programs
- 2University of South FloridaSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Florida (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- General Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- OncologyGet Started with University of South FloridaResearch University of South Florida’s Programs & Degrees
- 3University of ToledoSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Ohio (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at University of Toledo include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework, Diploma
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- Cardiovascular Science
- OncologyGet Started with University of ToledoResearch University of Toledo’s Programs & Degrees
- 4University of the SciencesSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Pennsylvania (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at University of the Sciences include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- General Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- OncologyGet Started with University of the SciencesResearch University of the Sciences’s Degree Programs
- 5University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Texas (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Genetics
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- OncologyGet Started with University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterResearch University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Programs
- 6University of Colorado DenverSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Colorado (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at University of Colorado Denver include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- OncologyGet Started with University of Colorado DenverResearch University of Colorado Denver’s Programs
- 7University of ChicagoSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Illinois (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at University of Chicago include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree:
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- Molecular Physiology
- OncologyGet Started with University of ChicagoResearch University of Chicago’s Programs
- 8Stanford UniversitySchool InfoSchool locations:
- California (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at Stanford University include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- Cell Physiology
- Neuroscience
- OncologyGet Started with Stanford UniversityResearch Stanford University’s Degree Programs
- 9Harvard UniversitySchool InfoSchool locations:
- Massachusetts (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at Harvard University include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- Neurobiology and Neurophysiology
- PathologyGet Started with Harvard UniversityResearch Harvard University’s Programs
- 10University of PennsylvaniaSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Pennsylvania (1 campus)Program InfoAreas of study you may find at University of Pennsylvania include:
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: First Professional Certificate, Post Master’s Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Bioinformatics
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Related Sciences
- Neuroscience
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