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. Iowa has 76 practicing oncologists. Broken out by city, oncology doctor density in Ames is 4, in Atlantic is 1, in Audubon is 1, in Bettendorf is 4, in Bloomfield is 1, in Boone is 2, in Cedar Rapids is 8, in Centerville is 2, in Chariton is 1, in Clarinda is 1, in Clarion is 1, in Clinton is 1, in Council Bluffs is 4, in Davenport is 4, in De Witt is 1, in Denison is 1, in Des Moines is 13, in Dubuque is 5, in Fort Dodge is 1, in Grinnell is 1, in Grundy Center is 1, in Guttenberg is 1, in Harlan is 1, in Independence is 1, in Iowa City is 19, in Keosauqua is 1, in Leon is 1, in Maquoketa is 2, in Marshalltown is 1, in Mason City is 3, in Muscatine is 1, in Newton is 2, in Oelwein is 1, in Orange City is 1, in Ottumwa is 3, in Red Oak is 1, in Rock Valley is 1, in Shenandoah is 1, in Sigourney is 2, in Sioux Center is 1, in Sioux City is 5, in Sumner is 1, in Waterloo is 3, and in West Burlington is 2.

Iowa’s capital is Des Moines, home to Drake University. Iowa achieved Statehood 1846, and the state’s population is now 2,996,334. The Mississippi river borders the state on the east, and a majority of the state’s economic output is agricultural. Many cultural and entertainment opportunities exist for visitors to the “quad cities” of Davenport and Bettendorf, IA, and Rock Island and Moline, IL. Numerous museums, arts, music and sports events are available in Iowa, including the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, the Amana Colonies, and the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead. Famous people born in Iowa: Buffalo Bill, entertainers Johnny Carson and John Wayne, and former president Herbert Hoover.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Iowa has a population of 2,966,334. Of this population, 656,031 are under the age of 18 and 434,196 are at or above the age of 65.