Training the next generation of radiation oncologists
Growing up in New Zealand's Waikato District, Professor Peter Metcalfe was the smallest boy in school and relied on the safety his best friend – the biggest kid in school – provided. As a physics undergraduate, Peter was then always looking for a way to give something back and to help other people.
"My early years at university were spent searching for something
that my physics training could bring to help humanity. A short job
experience period at Auckland Hospital in 1978 quickly convinced me
helping cancer patients was worth pursuing."
Much of Peter's work is done behind the scenes, whether it's
developing new treatment techniques, ensuring the machines are
delivering the correct radiation doses or mentoring the next
generation of cancer workers.
The first Academic Chair appointed in New South Wales, Professor
Peter Metcalfe advises and supervises the next generation's PhD and
MSc research. The program at the University of Wollongong is
addressing the skills shortage that traditionally exists in
medicine by bringing in students and staff from near and far.
"I was recruited from New Zealand and got my other staff from
Hong Kong and Germany. There was a major shortage of radiation
oncology medical physicists in Australia; our program at Wollongong
has helped turn this problem on its head. Our graduates currently
make up about one-third of the Australian workforce," explains
Peter.
"The most pleasant surprise on taking on this role was the
quality of students in the program, they are not only of high
academic standard they are also wonderful human beings, if this is
the new generation then we are in surprisingly good hands."
While cancer cases are predicted to increase by 30 per cent in
the next 10 years, the quality of Peter's students, treatment
breakthroughs and new technologies offer hope. Peter is already
looking to the future.
If this is the new generation then we are
in surprisingly good hands.
"These are exciting times indeed. Exciting new innovations such
as the proposed 'research bunker' at Liverpool Cancer Care Campus
(SWSAHS) will perhaps give us the chance to embrace and trial new
technologies in a controlled research environment," says Peter.
"The benefits of new technologies are difficult to establish, as
randomised clinical trials for such technology are rare. There are
numerous new technologies available to patients overseas that are
not offered in Australia. Machines such as TomoTherapy and
CyberKnife are more expensive than conventional linear accelerators
but I believe they do have a role in small numbers in Australia, as
they can treat specific clinical sites extremely well. My dream is
to see more cutting edge technology adopted in Australia."
"During our lifetimes we will unfortunately all be affected in
some way by cancer whether it is ourselves or our family or
friends. If we can help cancer patients by improving their
radiotherapy treatments just a little piece at a time, then that
makes me and my colleagues very happy indeed."
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