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. Idaho has 43 practicing oncologists. Broken out by city, oncology doctor density in Boise is 20, in Caldwell is 5, in Coeur D Alene is 8, in Emmett is 4, in Idaho Falls is 3, in Lewiston is 5, in Meridian is 8, in Nampa is 6, in Pocatello is 2, in Rexburg is 1, in Sandpoint is 1, and in Twin Falls is 3.

Idaho achieved statehood 1890, and its capital city is Boise. The recent boom of science and technology has superseded agriculture and tourism as the state’s primary resource. Visit the Idaho State Historical Society or the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts in Boise, or tour the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. Places to see in Idaho include a mountain resort, a mining-era town, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, or the Ernest Hemingway Memorial.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Idaho has a population of 1,429,096. Of this population, 365,765 are under the age of 18 and 163,142 are at or above the age of 65.