Generic name Pediatric Oncologist

courtesy of the National Cancer Institute:

When choosing a doctor for your cancer care, you may find it helpful to know some of the terms used to describe a doctor’s training and credentials. Most physicians who treat people with cancer are medical doctors (they have an M.D. degree) or osteopathic doctors (they have a D.O. degree). The basic training for both types of physicians includes 4 years of premedical education at a college or university, 4 years of medical school to earn an M.D. or D.O. degree, and postgraduate medical education through internships and residences. This training usually lasts 3 to 7 years. Physicians must pass an exam to become licensed (legally permitted) to practice medicine in their state. Each state or territory has its own procedures and general standards for licensing physicians.

Specialists are physicians who have completed their residency training in a specific area, such as internal medicine. Independent specialty boards certify physicians after they have fulfilled certain requirements. These requirements include meeting specific education and training criteria, being licensed to practice medicine, and passing an examination given by the specialty board. Doctors who have met all of the requirements are given the status of “Diplomate” and are board-certified as specialists. Doctors who are board-eligible have obtained the required education and training, but have not completed the specialty board examination.

After being trained and certified as a specialist, a physician may choose to become a subspecialist. A subspecialist has at least 1 additional year of full-time education in a particular area of a specialty. This training is designed to increase the physician’s expertise in a specific field. Specialists can be board-certified in their subspecialty as well.

Medical Oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Doctors who specialize in internal medicine treat a wide range of medical problems. Medical oncologists treat cancer and manage the patient’s course of treatment. A medical oncologist may also consult with other physicians about the patient’s care or refer the patient to other specialists.

Hematology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Hematologists focus on diseases of the blood and related tissues, including the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes.

Radiation Oncology is a subspecialty of radiology. Radiology is the use of x-rays and other forms of radiation to diagnose and treat disease. Radiation oncologists specialize in the use of radiation to treat cancer.

Surgery is a specialty that pertains to the treatment of disease by surgical operation. General surgeons perform operations on almost any area of the body. Physicians can also choose to specialize in a certain type of surgery; for example, thoracic surgeons are specialists who perform operations specifically in the chest area, including the lungs and the esophagus.

Good Luck and God Bless!!

If you are truly interested in pursuing this than a good way to gain experience and find out might be to volunteer at a summer camp for children with cancer. You would be able to observe how others treat these kids. Remember even though these kids have cancer . . . they are still very much kids . . and want to play and do everything any other child is doing . . it’s just that the disease or treatment gets in their way. They can be incredibly active, enthusiastic and full of life. Never think of them as being ‘sick’, just take care of their physical needs only when necessary, and you’ll do fine.

Cancer Kid Camps
http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/cfissues/camps.html

-Get consistent medical checkups. Women over 40 should get annual mammograms, and men should get their prostate checked. Sexually active young women should regularly tested for HPV, which leads to cervical cancer. Get suspicious moles checked out, basically just get yearly physicals.

-Limit your stress. When your stress builds, your body is less able to fight disease, and you are more likely to get sick. So manage your time, get sufficient sleep, journal, take care of your mental and emotional health.

-And finally..this is very important yet most Americans don’t do it, is take care of your body! Make sure you are getting nutrients, and limiting excessive fat and sugar. Exercise, maintain a healthy weight and body frame and you will improve your life and health by leaps and bounds.