Q&A – SIDE EFFECTS OF BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

Our online Q&A will be moderated by Annabel Crabb, one of Australia’s most beloved journalists.

She is a multi-faceted writer and broadcaster who ranges between federal politics, gender, current affairs, history and cooking and is a sought-after speaker and presenter for her incisive and humorous approach.

Dr Keelan Byrne is an experienced radiation oncologist who consults and treats patients at multiple Icon Cancer Centre locations across Melbourne’s inner and outer metropolitan areas including Epworth Richmond, Moreland and Epworth Freemasons.

Born and raised in Ireland, he obtained a Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics at Trinity College Dublin and undertook specialist radiation oncology training at Andrew Love and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centres in Melbourne, Australia.

Dr Byrne subsequently completed a radiation oncology fellowship at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, where he gained extensive experience in managing and treating a broad range of solid tumour malignancies, with a particular focus on breast and urological cancers. He was awarded fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR) in 2016.

With a strong commitment to clinical teaching, research and medical education, Dr Byrne is the Director of Training at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Sunshine campus and Breast Radiation Oncology Tumour Stream Lead at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

His clinical experience covers a broad range of solid tumour malignancies, with a special interest in breast cancer, palliative and stereotactic radiation therapy.

Professor John Boyages is an internationally recognised radiation oncologist, breast cancer specialist and author committed to the expert care of patients with breast disease. Known for his calm and compassionate manner, patients from across Australia and the Asia Pacific regularly seek his opinion.

John joined Icon Cancer Centre in August 2019. John has developed, published and mentored clinicians about Volumetric Arc Radiation Therapy (VMAT) radiation techniques for patients with breast cancer. VMAT aims to improve cancer control whilst minimising high doses to normal tissues, meaning fewer side effects than conventional radiation. Apart from the specifics of breast cancer, together with the Icon team, they ensure the patient has information about nutrition, exercise, prevention and early detection of lymphoedema, body image, sexuality, follow-up care and psychological support.

In January 2017, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to medicine in the specialty of radiation oncology as a clinician, to medical education, to professional organisations and people with breast cancer”. John accepts referrals for breast disease, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer, lymphoedema and recurrent breast cancer.

Katrina O’Doherty was diagnosed with node-positive breast cancer in February 2022 at the age of 37.

Her treatment included five months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a double mastectomy with full reconstruction, and five weeks of radiotherapy. She continues to receive long-term endocrine therapy, which includes daily exemestane, monthly Zoladex injections, and biannual Zometa infusions.

Since her diagnosis, she’s been passionate about supporting others through their own breast cancer experiences. She volunteered with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), including contributing to the development of the ‘My Journey’ app, a digital resource designed to help people understand and manage their treatment and symptoms.

In early 2025, Katrina was appointed to the Breast Cancer Trials Consumer Advisory Panel, where she works alongside experienced consumer advocates to ensure the patient voice is embedded in research design, trial development, and funding priorities.

She’s also worked with clinical psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman on an initiative supporting people returning to work after cancer, with a focus on managing the ongoing side effects of treatment.

Currently, she is collaborating with exercise physiologist Dr Eva Zopf on a grant submission exploring how physical activity may influence treatment response and recurrence.

With a professional background in leadership and client engagement, she brings lived experience, empathy, and a collaborative mindset to her advocacy work. Katrina is committed to improving outcomes and quality of life for people undergoing treatment for early breast cancer particularly in how the long term side effects of treatment are recognised, addressed, and managed.

Belinda Yeo (FRACP, MD, MBBS, BA) is a Medical Oncologist specialising in breast cancer and the Deputy Director of Medical Oncology at Austin Health in Melbourne. She is also a Clinician Scientist at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.

After training in Sydney, she joined the Breast Unit at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London as a Clinical and Research Fellow. She completed a Master’s Degree at The University of London and The Institute of Cancer Research in novel genomic and non-molecular breast cancer risk assays.

Belinda was co-lead of the VCCC Research and Education Stream for Breast Cancer until 2023. She actively supervises PhD students, serves as a clinical trial investigator, and continues her translational research at the ONJ Centre, focusing on improving personalised care and minimising treatment toxicities for patients with breast cancer.