‘Scanxiety’ – it’s a word that resonates with many prostate cancer patients and embodies the whirlwind of underdoing numerous scans, awaiting results and confronting the unknown. This month’s vodcast is focused on the challenges faced with scanning and how men can overcome some of the potential barriers.
This Vodcast was hosted by Matthew Britland (Managing Director at MedWise Consulting), along with panelists Prof. Rod Hicks (Founder and CMO of PreMIT), Dr. Paul Conway (Radiation oncologist at ICON Cancer Centre Richmond), Katherine Lyons (Clinical Nurse consultant at MTIC) and Will Macdonald (Nine News Presenter and patient advocate).
HOST
Matthew Britland | Managing Director, MedWise Consulting
Matt is the Past President of Medical Affairs Professionals of Australasia (MAPA, formerly APPA). He is also the Managing Director of MedWise Consulting, a specialist practice focused on medical affairs, medical communications, and patient engagement. Matt is an experienced medical affairs leader and Medical Director with a demonstrated history of working in the pharmaceuticals industry and clinical roles for over 20 years. Skilled in Pharmaceutical Medicine, Oncology and Haematology, Matt is a strong professional with a MMedSc focused in Pharmaceutical Medicine from UNSW Australia. He is currently undertaking a PhD on the role of Medical Affairs in the Quality use of Medicine (QUM) and its impact on patient outcomes.
PANELLISTS
Professor Rodney Hicks | Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Board Chair of Precision Molecular Imaging and Theranostics (PreMIT Pty Ltd.)
Professor Rodney Hicks is a key opinion leader and a highly-cited researcher in nuclear medicine and oncology globally and has been actively involved in advancing the field of nuclear medicine through being an innovator and pioneer in positron emission tomography (PET) and therapeutic use of radiopharmaceuticals for over 30 years. As an early adopter of new technologies, Rod installed the first PET/CT in Australia and one of the first in the World in 2001. His research collaborations have been instrumental in developing methodologies for evaluating the clinical impact of PET that helped support the case for reimbursement of this modality in both Australia and other countries. In addition, the peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) program that he initiated in 1996 has grown into a clinical service that is now recognised by the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society as a Centre of Excellence. He was also instrumental in bringing prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting PET and therapeutic agents into Australia.
Dr. Paul Conway | Radiation Oncologist, ICON Cancer Centre Richmond
Dr. Paul Conway is a highly skilled radiation oncologist. He earned his MBBS with First Class Honours from the University of Queensland in 2013 and completed his radiation oncology training at prestigious institutions including the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Dr. Conway is a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR) and is deeply committed to advancing cancer treatment. With a keen interest in advanced radiation therapy technologies, Dr. Conway traveled to leading centers in Japan to specialize in proton beam therapy. He actively engages in research and clinical trials, focusing on stereotactic radiation therapy for oligometastatic disease. Dr. Conway's expertise spans various cancer types, with particular emphasis on urological cancers, gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer, central nervous system cancer, and oligometastatic disease. His compassionate approach, coupled with extensive clinical experience, enables him to establish meaningful connections with patients and colleagues.
Katherine Lyons | Clinical Nurse Consultant at Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre, MTIC
Kat is a dedicated healthcare professional with a background in Pharmacology and Nursing Science. She completed her studies at the University of Melbourne and pursued further education in Oncology and Palliative Care. Over the past 7 years Kat has played key roles in nursing education and patient care at The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She specialises in Theranostic nursing, delivering high-quality radionuclide therapy to patients. Currently, at the MTIC, Kat continues her work in patient care, with a research focus around scanxiety and patient imaging experience, aiming to enhance therapeutic outcomes and contribute to medical advancements.
Will McDonald | Presenter/Reporter/Producer, Nine News
Will McDonald is a Nine News presenter, reporter and producer. He presents the 6pm weekend bulletin for Nine News in Adelaide and the afternoon weekday news. Born in Adelaide, Will’s media career began in 2000 in Port Lincoln for Southern Cross News. Writing, filming and editing his own stories, he then moved to Port Pirie to host the local news bulletin. In over two decades of journalism, Will has covered major Australian news stories, from ground-breaking medical research to catastrophic bushfires. Outside of work, he’s a motorcycle enthusiast who loves adventure, including hiking, mountain climbing and skydiving as often as he can. Will was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in July 2020 at the age of 42 and is determined to beat it. He and his partner Samantha welcomed their first son in January 2023, a baby boy named Alfie, and he recently completed his first Ironman event, raising over $25,000 for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
