HealthJuly 16, 2026
oncologist
/ˌɒŋˈkɒlədʒɪst/
Definition
A medical specialist qualified to diagnose and treat cancer.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'onkos' (mass or tumor) and '-logist' (one who studies). It entered English in the early 20th century to describe the medical field dedicated to studying and treating tumors.
In the news
The word is used in a hypothetical comparison to explain why Odgers expects rigorous, evidence-based scrutiny before accepting claims that specific factors cause childhood health crises. She uses the oncologist as an example of a professional whose job is to verify causes accurately to prevent misinformation.
The social media ban sceptic: are we getting it wrong on kids, tech and mental health?
Read the full article ↗The Guardian