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. Georgia has 233 practicing oncologists. Broken out by city, oncology doctor density in Albany is 8, in Alpharetta is 7, in Athens is 6, in Atlanta is 82, in Augusta is 20, in Austell is 23, in Blairsville is 3, in Blue Ridge is 4, in Bremen is 1, in Brunswick is 3, in Calhoun is 2, in Camilla is 1, in Canton is 5, in Carrollton is 15, in Cartersville is 11, in Cassville is 2, in Clayton is 1, in Columbus is 5, in Conyers is 7, in Cordele is 1, in Covington is 3, in Cumming is 4, in Dahlonega is 1, in Dallas is 1, in Dalton is 3, in Decatur is 19, in Demorest is 2, in Douglas is 2, in Douglasville is 22, in Dublin is 4, in Duluth is 9, in East Ellijay is 1, in East Point is 5, in Elberton is 4, in Fayetteville is 12, in Fort Oglethorpe is 3, in Gainesville is 5, in Greensboro is 3, in Griffin is 5, in Hartwell is 2, in Hawkinsville is 4, in Hinesville is 1, in Hiram is 3, in Jasper is 2, in Jonesboro is 2, in Kennesaw is 1, in Lagrange is 2, in Lawrenceville is 11, in Lithonia is 1, in Lovejoy is 2, in Macon is 11, in Marietta is 18, in Mcdonough is 1, in Milledgeville is 3, in Monroe is 1, in Moultrie is 1, in Newnan is 5, in Peachtree City is 1, in Ringgold is 4, in Riverdale is 8, in Rome is 3, in Roswell is 4, in Royston is 2, in Saint Marys is 2, in Sandy Springs is 1, in Savannah is 9, in Snellville is 9, in Statesboro is 8, in Stockbridge is 10, in Suwanee is 4, in Sylvester is 6, in Thomaston is 2, in Thomasville is 4, in Tifton is 2, in Toccoa is 2, in Tucker is 6, in Valdosta is 4, in Vidalia is 3, in Warner Robins is 6, in Waycross is 2, in West Point is 2, in Winder is 2, and in Woodstock is 3.

Georgia is rich in history, from its statehood in 1788, to its tobacco plantations, to its civil rights memorials. Atlanta is its vibrant capital city, and it offers a myriad of music, arts, sports and nightlife. While in Atlanta, visit the world’s largest aquarium, the Woodruff Arts Center, or the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Ride the Old Town Trolley in Savannah, and listen to some live jazz and blues at one of Savannah’s many festivals. Georgia’s mountain parks offer hiking, biking, climbing, and other outdoor activities. On Georgia’s coastline, you can go boating, deep sea fishing or kayaking in the Atlantic. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge draws many visitors yearly.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Georgia has a population of 9,072,576. Of this population, 2,319,806 are under the age of 18 and 865,997 are at or above the age of 65.