Oncology is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of cancer patients. We can also talk about oncology. There are several sub-specialties:

• medical oncology (coordination of care and use of chemotherapy agents);
• radiotherapy oncology (or radiation oncology);
• haemato-oncology, for blood cancers more specifically.

In addition, cancers can affect all organs and systems of the body, there are oncologists specializing in certain types of cancer. Cirons by in particular oncologists in gynecology, urology, gastrology, neurology, etc.

Oncology is a constantly evolving specialty, particularly due to the arrival of personalized treatments.

Oncologist treats cancers. Each year, in France, approximately 355 new cases of cancer are diagnosed (000 in Canada). Among the most common³ in France and Quebec, we note:

• le prostate cancer (1st rank of cancers in humans);
• le breast cancer (1st rank of cancers in women);
• colon cancer (colorectal cancer);
• le lung cancer ;
• but also, blood cancers (leukemia, lymphomas, myelomas, etc.), of the digestive system (stomach, esophagus, tongue, etc.), of the brain, of the skin, or even of the bones.

Although cancer can affect anyone at any age, including childhood, there are some recognized risk factors for cancer. These include, among others:

• genetic factors, especially for breast or colon cancer;
• tobacco consumption;
• chronic exposure to radiation (UV, X-rays, etc.) or to certain substances (asbestos, chemicals, pesticides, etc.);
• aging (being over 60);
• certain viruses (cervical cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, etc.).

The role of the medical oncologist is to supervise and coordinate the overall care of a patient with cancer. He must also:

• prescribe treatment;
• assess drug tolerance and adjust chemotherapy doses;
• monitor the progress of the cancer.

Note that in patients at the end of their life, the oncologist also participates in palliative care.

Most often, the patient is referred to an oncologist if cancer is suspected or after a tumor has been diagnosed by medical imaging.

Depending on the course of the disease and the treatment, the oncologist may have to order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI exam, perform a biopsy (removal of the suspicious lesion for a biological analysis) , etc.

The consultation with an oncologist does not involve any particular risks for the patient. Cancer treatments, whether chemotherapy or radiation therapy, however, are aggressive treatments that have many side effects. The management of these undesirable effects, in particular through the adaptation of the doses of chemotherapy, is an important part of the management in oncology.

Training to become an oncologist in France

To become an oncologist, the student must obtain a diploma of specialized studies (DES) in oncology:

• he must first follow, after his baccalaureate, a common first year in health studies. Note that an average of less than 20% of students manage to cross this milestone;
• the 4th, 5th and 6th years at the Faculty of Medicine constitute the clerkship;
• at the end of the 6th year, students take the national classifying tests to enter the boarding school. Depending on their classification, they will be able to choose their specialty and their place of practice. The internship in oncology lasts 5 years (10 semesters including 4 in medical oncology, 1 in radiotherapy, 1 in hematology and 4 free semesters).

Finally, to be able to work as an oncologist and hold the title of doctor, the student must also defend a research thesis.

The training to become an oncologist hasu Quebec

After college studies, the student must pursue a doctorate in medicine. This first stage lasts 1 or 4 years:

• a preparatory year for medicine for students admitted with a college or university training deemed insufficient in basic biological sciences;
• two years of pre-apprenticeship;
• two years of clerkship.

Then, the student will have to specialize by following a residency in medical oncology or radiation oncology (5 years).

Before going to the appointment with an oncologist, it is important to take any x-rays, scans or MRIs performed.

To find an oncologist:

• in Quebec, you can consult the website of the association of hematologists and oncologists of Quebec (â ?? ´), which offers a directory of its members;
• in France, via the website of the Ordre des médecins (â ?? µ), the French Society of Oncological Radiotherapy (6) and various medical oncology associations.

The consultation with the oncologist is covered by the Health Insurance (France) or the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.