Oncology

Oncology is related to the diagnosis and treatment of tumours and cancer. Physicians that specialise in oncology are known as oncologists, and they may focus on one particular type of cancer, treatment or management, and there are also oncologists focused on screening larger groups for different types of cancer.

Cancer has become one of the leading causes of mortality in Australia and throughout many countries, and the number of types of cancers makes reliable treatment difficult. Early detection is vital to treating most types of cancer, and for this reason, regular examinations have become recommended as part of health and wellbeing routines. For example, males may undertake examinations for prostate cancer while females may undertake screening for breast cancer.

Oncology relies on modern technology for many of its methods of diagnosis. Usually, cancer becomes apparent as an abnormality in the system discovered through a secondary illness or via the examination of abnormal lumps and lesions. A biopsy, endoscopy, x-rays and scanning tools, nuclear medicine and blood tests are all methods used to diagnose cancer.

Depending on the nature of the tumour or cancer, different types of therapy are employed as methods of treatment. This can include:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Monoclonal antibodies

Other methods and new technology is part of the ongoing effort of treating and preventing cancer, and educating the public is also important to the overall management of the occurrence of this disease. Secondary or alternative therapies may also be suggested in treatment either for the cancer or the often invasive current methods of treatment.

If you need to find an oncologist or related physician, look to physicians.com.au. Search the online database for relevant details such as address and phone numbers, and call today to make an appointment with physicians specialising in the field of oncology.