• Published on: Sep 17, 2021
  • 5 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Oncologists Near Me: Understanding Which Specialist Doctor

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Why would you see an oncologist and what does an oncologist do?

Oncologists are physicians who have specialized in the study of cancer. They offer comprehensive care to patients with any type of disease including cancer to help people understand their diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan, and side effects to optimize quality of life. A person may see an oncologist if they have just been diagnosed with cancer or another condition that could spread into cancers cells. At the same time, an oncologist will also catch signs of different conditions that would increase the risk for developing cancers like smoking and high blood pressure.

Therefore it is important to get screened by an oncologist at regular intervals (every 3 years after 40) or at least every 10 years past 50.

You're most likely an oncology patient if you have had any of the following cancers diagnosed or are suspecting one of them. Understanding what these cancers do will help you understand why each would warrant a visit to your oncologist.

Chemo-sensitivity   - Chemotherapy is often used as a type of cancer treatment (called "Chemotherapy" for simplicity) and understanding how chemo works may help you understand the concept.

Leukemia - This is treated with an intravenous course that can last up to 3 months with doses up to 500mg every day, but there are some side effects like sometimes higher risk for infection (among other things) ...

If you are worried about your risk for cancer, the best course of action may be to see an oncologist. This medical professional can assess your degree of risk and recommend appropriate screening tests, lab workups, lifestyle changes, or medication. The reasons for seeing an oncologist could range from drug side effects to blood tests that show increased markers indicating potential problems. The bottom line is that any physician not specializing in hematology will lack the knowledge needed to accurately diagnose a person with concerns related specifically to their bloodstream. As such, it's highly recommended for anyone concerned about various symptoms they are experiencing within their body.

It's important to stop the progression of cancer before it spreads, and an oncologist would be the expert to do that. Seeking professional help is good for your safety, but also because treatments are typically more effective when they're delivered quickly. Furthermore, receiving treatment at an early stage often has better outcomes for patients diagnosed with any type of cancer. Because no one wants to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy if the tumor isn't just about ready to burst out into other places! Plus, while cancers exist locally in an organ or tissue, not all growths can metastasize.

Oncologists are experts in cancer treatment and can help you decide which type of treatment is most appropriate for your situation. A good "general practitioner" or family doctor will be able to recognize common symptoms of various cancers, but they don't have formal training in them as oncologists do.

An oncologist is a physician who specializes in the study and treatment of cancer, which includes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. They use chemotherapy or radiotherapy to fight cancer cells. Information about clinical trials can also be found at clinics too! Some common types of cancer include lung cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, prostate cancers. It's very important for people with these conditions to seek help from an oncologist for information on what treatments are available.

An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Different types of cancers require different treatments, so it's important to talk to your doctor about what they think is best for you. If they recommend chemotherapy, don't hesitate to ask any questions or discuss anything that might make you uneasy- because the sooner you can advocate for yourself, the less likely it is that potential problems will occur down the line. Stay strong!

If you're having trouble sleeping, your appetite is changing, you're getting aches and pains in places that are new to you or seem particularly resistant to coping strategies for pain management, it's time to consult an Oncologist because Oncologists specialize in cancers. For example - thyroid cancer is often diagnosed by finding out there's a lump growing in the neck area. The only way doctors can be certain whether it is genuine thyroid cancer or not is by examination under anesthesia followed-up with diagnostic tests that ascertain if it's malignant or benign."

An oncologist is a specialist who treats patients with cancers and tumor growths. They're the right specialists to see if you're concerned about symptoms like unexplained fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, persistent cough, etc. An oncologist will also be able to advise as to whether you need further advanced screenings such as surgery or chemotherapy.

In a general sense, an oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Depending on the type of cancer for which you are being treated, your oncologist may be one of many different specialists- such as a surgeon, geneticist, radiation therapist, or pharmacist.

Oncologists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of cancer. They are conventional doctors that one would typically see when diagnosed with a form of cancer or when having screenings for risk factors. It is important to note that not all oncologists have undergone specialization in treating this illness specifically. Some may specialize instead in surgical procedures related to both benign and malignant tumors or cancers only, while others might concentrate their careers on genetic counseling alone - helping patients understand what type of risk they are under based on family history genetics, etc.   

An oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating people with cancer. The first thing an oncologist does for their patients is to try and figure out whether they have cancer. If it has been confirmed, they usually analyze all the patient's history, test results (including any CT scans, MRIs, and biopsies), lifestyle choices (such as smoking habits), and family health history. With this information, they come up with a treatment plan based on what type of cancer their patient has, how far it has spread and whether there is recurrence risk. There are many ways an oncologist can treat someone: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy; hormone therapy; targeted therapy; immunotherapy

Some cancers can be treated with surgery or curettage (a surgical procedure that removes some of the tumor cells, usually using a wire loop). For example, cancers such as lung and stomach cancers may be successfully cured by removing them completely; these are called respectable cancers. An oncologist is a physician who specializes in treating cancer. The typical duties of an oncologist are diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

An Oncologist is also an expert in the application of radiation therapy living near you to treat cancer. Usually, after someone has gone through chemotherapy or radiation therapy, they need help to cope with these treatments that can lower their quality of life in addition to dealing with potentially life-threatening side effects from this kind of aggressive treatment. An Oncologist may specialize specifically in counseling patients going through chemo or radiation therapy.

Oncology can diagnose cancers and also suggest treatment options, either as the primary oncologist or as part of a team of doctors advising on a particular case. They ensure that patients have easy access to chemotherapy and appropriate talk therapies, which will likely include information about side effects, coping mechanisms, quality-of-life support services for things like nausea, hair loss, and mental health problems. The responsibilities of an oncologist can vary from week to week, but it is not unusual for them to spend time seeing new cancer patients in clinic visits. Oncologists are the doctors who treat cancer. If you have cancer, oncologists will be your primary care physician. They also provide follow-up treatment for people suffering from tumors that are no longer producing new cells but continue to collect wastes that cause aging at the cellular level.

Some of their duties include developing strategies, evaluating therapeutic alternatives, and providing psychological support to patients with cancer or tumors to maximize success rates for therapies that work best with each individual patient's condition.

Most often with cancer, the oncologist either does chemotherapy or radiation therapy at does it with both. The medical term for this is “combined modality therapy.” Cancer treatment teams are mostly made up of at least one specialist in the type of tissue the tumor originates from (e.g., breast oncologist), a medical oncologist—someone who has completed additional training in managing patients who have cancer (though not necessarily having any expertise about specific cancers)—and support staff like clinic coordinators, nurses, and secretaries.

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Nutritional Deficiencies in Indian Kids

Nutritional Deficiencies in Indian Kids: Recognizing, Preventing & Overcoming “Hidden Hunger”

Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy — tall, strong, smart, and full of energy. But in India, many kids suffer from what is known as “hidden hunger.” It means that even though they are eating, their diet lacks essential nutrients. These nutritional deficiencies can affect growth, learning, immunity, and long-term health. In this blog, we’ll explore the major nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids, what causes them, how to detect them, and what parents can do. Let’s dive into nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids.

 

What Are the Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies?

Based on recent research and national surveys, the following are among the most widespread deficiencies in Indian children:

  • Iron Deficiency / Anaemia
    A large percentage of Indian kids (especially under-5s) have low hemoglobin and low iron stores. Anaemia can cause tiredness, slow cognitive development, and lowered immunity. Lippincott Journals+2PMC+2
     

  • Vitamin A Deficiency
    Vitamin A is essential for good vision, immunity, and healthy cells. Many children under 5 show sub-clinical deficiency; some show clinical signs like night blindness. Lippincott Journals+1
     

  • Iodine Deficiency
    Iodine is critical for thyroid hormone production, which affects brain development. Lack of iodine can lead to goitre, delayed mental development, and poor school performance. Lippincott Journals+2thyrocare.com+2
     

  • Vitamin D Deficiency
    Even though India is sunny, many children have low vitamin D — due to indoor living, limited sun exposure, skin coverage, or dietary gaps. This impacts bone health, growth, and risks rickets. PMC+1
     

  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM)
    In poorer or marginalized communities, children may not get enough protein or calories. This leads to underweight, wasting, stunting, and weakened immunity. Lippincott Journals+2HDFC ERGO+2
     

  • Other Micronutrients (Vitamin B12, folate, zinc etc.)
    Deficiencies in B12 & folate can affect cell division, blood production, nerve function; zinc deficiency weakens immunity & slows growth. PMC+2nanhedil.com+2
     

 

Why Do These Deficiencies Happen?

Understanding the causes helps in prevention:

  1. Dietary Factors
    Many diets are heavy in cereals or starches but low in diversity. Meals may lack fruits, vegetables, animal-source foods (meat, eggs, fish) or fortified products.
     

  2. Bioavailability of Nutrients
    Even when foods contain nutrients, they may not be absorbed well. For example, plant-based iron is less readily absorbed, phytates in grains and legumes can reduce absorption.
     

  3. Socioeconomic Constraints
    Poverty, food insecurity, access issues, lack of awareness, and sometimes traditional/cultural food beliefs limit access to nutrient-rich foods.
     

  4. Living Conditions and Health
    Frequent infections, parasitic infestations, poor hygiene, etc., can increase nutrient loss or demand. Also sunlight exposure (important for vitamin D) is inadequate in many cases.
     

  5. Gaps in Implementation of Prevention Programs
    Though India has multiple programs (fortification, supplement distribution, ICDS, National Nutrition Mission etc.), challenges remain in reach, compliance, quality, and behavioural change.
     

 

Effects of Nutritional Deficiencies

These deficiencies have short-term and long-term effects:

  • Growth stunting (children don’t reach their full height potential)
     

  • Wasting (low weight for height), underweight
     

  • Impaired cognitive development & learning difficulties
     

  • Weak immune system ? more infections
     

  • Delayed motor skills, poor school performance
     

  • Bone deformities (rickets, weak bones)
     

  • Poor quality of life; in severe cases, increased mortality
     

 

How to Detect & Diagnose Early

Taking action early helps avoid permanent harm. Key strategies include:

  • Regular growth monitoring: Checking weight, height, BMI for age
     

  • Look for signs: Pale skin or lips, tiredness, delayed milestones, frequent illness, bone pain or deformities (knees bowing, wrist/ankle enlargement)
     

  • Lab tests:
     

    • Haemoglobin & complete blood count
       

    • Serum ferritin for iron stores
       

    • Serum levels for vitamin A (retinol)
       

    • 25-OH vitamin D test
       

    • Serum B12, folate
       

    • Urinary iodine excretion or salt iodine test
       

    • Protein / albumin levels
       

Using broad vitamin profiles (like those from Thyrocare) can help screen for multiple deficiencies in one go.

 

Foods, Diet & Prevention: What Parents / Caregivers Can Do

Here are practical steps parents can take:

  • Diversify diet: Include pulses, legumes, eggs, dairy, meat (if non-vegetarian), fish; plenty of green leafy vegetables & fruits.
     

  • Fortified foods: Use iodised salt; choose cereals / milk products fortified with vitamins & iron.
     

  • Sunlight exposure: Encourage outdoor activities; even short daily sun exposure (face, arms) helps vitamin D.
     

  • Supplementation when needed: Under doctor guidance, provide vitamin A doses, iron/folic acid, vitamin D etc., especially in high-risk children.
     

  • Hygiene & health care: Prevent worm infections, diarrhoea etc. which can drain nutrients. Ensure vaccinations.
     

  • Education & awareness: Teach families importance of nutrition, balanced meals, what local foods can provide what nutrients.
     

 

What Parents Should Ask Healthcare Providers

  • Ask whether your child needs screening for deficiencies (e.g., iron, vitamin A, D, B12).
     

  • If lab tests are suggested, check whether it’s comprehensive or narrow, cost, and follow-up.
     

  • Seek help for dietary planning, perhaps from nutritionists or public health bodies.
     

  • Learn about local government/NGO programs—free or subsidized supplementation or fortified food programs.
     

 

When to Seek Medical Help

If your child has:

  • Persistent anaemia symptoms (very pale, lethargic)
     

  • Growth issues (falling off growth charts)
     

  • Bone deformities or pain
     

  • Severe or recurrent infections
     

  • Unusual signs like night blindness, goitre
     

Then get a medical evaluation. Early intervention can make a big difference.

 

Conclusion & Call to Action

Nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids are common—but many are preventable or treatable. By recognizing risks, ensuring good diet, doing appropriate lab tests, and using supplements or fortified foods when needed, children can grow healthier, smarter, and stronger.

If you’re concerned that your child may have one or more of these deficiencies, talk to a trusted pediatrician or nutritionist, and consider getting a comprehensive vitamin & nutrition profile done (for example through Thyrocare or SecondMedic) to know exactly where improvements are needed. Don’t wait—every child deserves a strong foundation.

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