Cancer is a disease that no one wants to be diagnosed with. Many individuals are afraid to be screened for cancer because they are afraid of having cancer. However, when the disease is caught during the early stages it is often treatable. When the disease is not caught until the late stages of the disease it is often not treatable. Therefore, individuals should be checked for cancer regularly.

Cancer is a disease that destroys cells. Cells become damaged and abnormal in the individual who has cancer. When cells become unhealthy they are supposed to die and new healthy ones are supposed to develop. Abnormal cells do not die when a person has this disease instead the abnormal cells reproduce. The abnormal cells eventually form a tumor.

All doctors have completed eight years of school to become a doctor. When the eight years of school are complete doctors spend three to seven years training as an intern. Intern training is on the job training. Specialists are doctors who have completed eight years of training and three to seven years of internship in a specific area of medicine. After the internship the doctor can take an exam to become a certified specialist.

Cancer specialists are called oncologists. Oncologists have completed eight years of medical training and three to seven years of internship. The internship of an oncologist involves treating cancer patients under the observation of an established oncologist.

A person who is diagnosed with cancer will probably want to get a second opinion. A cancer specialist is a good person to see for a second opinion. A person with this disease will probably want to continue seeing the cancer specialist for treatment. Cancer specialists often specialize in surgery, hematology or radiation oncology. For an oncologist to specialize in surgery, hematology or radiation oncology he must do an internship in the area for at least one year.