Oncology is the study and treatment of cancer and tumors. An oncologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats cancer patients. The oncologist sometimes uses chemotherapy, and consults with other physicians to coordinate other methods of cancer treatments for a patient. Cancer patients need to take in to account the likelihood of a cure, or of prolonging life when cure is not possible, the effect of treatment on their symptoms, and the side effects of the treatment. People who are candidates for radiation therapy or anti-cancer drugs need to understand the risks involved with treatment. An oncologist can help to counsel a patient on treatment options and what to expect.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are colon cancer, breast disease, Spinal Cord Tumors, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, breast cancer, Bone Marrow, Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, Mesothelioma, Sarcoma, lung cancer, Leukemia, Pancreatic cancer, Cervical cancer, Liver cancer, Mesothelioma Cancer (Asbestos Cancer), Brain cancer, Acute myeloid leukemia, and bone cancer.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including Colonoscopy, breast reconstruction, Chemotherapy, Brachytherapy, cryosurgery, mastectomy, Cryotherapy, CABG, breast surgery, surgery, radiotherapy, Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), adjuvant therapy, monoclonal antibody treatments, External Beam Radiotherapy, Hormone manipulation, and immunotherapies.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including biopsy, MRI scanning, Beta- HCG, CT scanning, X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan), ultrasound, endoscopy, NSE, CEA, Blood tests, CA 125, Tumor markers, Beta HCG, Positron emission tomography, Scintigraphy, PSA, and Alpha fetoprotein.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Connecticut has 185 practicing oncologists. Broken out by city, oncology doctor density in Avon is 9, in Bridgeport is 5, in Bristol is 10, in Danbury is 3, in Derby is 1, in East Hartford is 1, in Enfield is 7, in Essex is 7, in Fairfield is 12, in Farmington is 9, in Glastonbury is 1, in Greenwich is 5, in Guilford is 9, in Hamden is 9, in Hartford is 28, in Manchester is 5, in Meriden is 5, in Middlebury is 3, in Middletown is 5, in Milford is 3, in Mystic is 1, in New Britain is 5, in New Haven is 55, in New London is 8, in New Milford is 6, in Norwalk is 8, in Norwich is 7, in Old Saybrook is 1, in Putnam is 1, in Sharon is 9, in Shelton is 4, in Southington is 4, in Stamford is 11, in Torrington is 8, in Trumbull is 6, in Vernon is 5, in Waterbury is 6, in Waterford is 3, in West Haven is 5, in Wethersfield is 4, in Willimantic is 5, and in Woodbridge is 18.

This New England state is one of the original 13 states; Connecticut’s capital is Hartford and its population is 3,510,297. This state is steeped in history. Visit the past at the Nathan Hale Homestead near New London, or Yale University in New Haven. Tour the home of Mark Twain, the New England Air Museum, or the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. Explore a historic tobacco farming area, do some hiking and biking, or visit the numerous antique shops or lighthouses in the eastern coastal area.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Connecticut has a population of 3,510,297. Of this population, 812,182 are under the age of 18 and 472,089 are at or above the age of 65.