Imaging cancer: image-based diagnostic communication in radiologists' embodied cognition.

This article examines cancer detection in oncoradiology through the lens of enactivism, a theoretical approach that emphasizes cognition as embodied, action-oriented, and socially embedded rather than representational. It argues that radiological images are not mere static depictions but active tools that, together with the radiologist's embodied skills and imaginative engagement, enable the diagnosis of cancer by revealing both present and absent pathological features. The diagnostic process involves multimodal, pre-reflective interactions between the radiologist's body schema, imaging technology, and social context, highlighting the importance of skilled action, professional feedback, and language in shaping meaning. The article suggests that adopting an enactivist perspective can inform improvements in imaging technology, diagnostic practices, and medical education by focusing on the dynamic, embodied nature of radiological cognition.