Dr. Tim Whelan is Head of the Radiation Therapy Program at the Hamilton Health Sciences Juravinski Cancer Centre, and a Professor, Department of Oncology, and Associate Member, Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics at McMaster University. He is co-chair of the Breast Disease Site Group of the NCIC Clinical Trials Group, and Director of the Supportive Cancer Care Research Unit, a health system-linked research unit sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Dr. Whelan obtained his medical degree at the University of Oxford and received his post-graduate training at the University of Toronto. From 1991-1993, he was a Terry Fox Research Fellow at McMaster University. Since 1993, his research has focused on clinical trials in radiation oncology and health services research in cancer, particularly in the areas of supportive care, quality of life and shared (physician-patient) decision-making. In April 2001, he was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Breast Cancer with renewal in 2006. He is known for his work evaluating novel approaches for radiation therapy in breast cancer and the development and evaluation of decision aids to facilitate communication between doctors and patients regarding treatment decisions.
LEARNER OUTCOMES:
Discuss current indications for post-mastectomy radiotherapy.
Discuss indications for radiotherapy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Review current trial results and practice patterns for adjuvant systemic therapy.