Know This: Oncologist

The scenario is predictable. It’s happened so often, it almost feels scripted. It goes like this: I meet a new person. We chitchat. Once we’ve moved past where we’re from, what school our kids attend, and the weather, the subject of what we do for a living comes up.

My turn. “I’m a physician.”

“Oh!” This piques the other’s interest. Not the expected answer. Eyes light up with eager curiosity. “What sort of medicine do you practice?”

I always hesitate, just for a beat, even though I’ve had the same conversation countless times. I know they’re expecting “pediatrics” or “family medicine” or some other “safe” specialty, like “ophthalmology.” I suppose the conversation would flow quite nicely after one of those options.

But alas, my chosen specialty isn’t “safe.” Nor does it make for good conversation. But it is my specialty, so after that inevitable beat, I answer the truth: “I’m a medical oncologist.”