Navigating the Cancer Maze The Evolution of Oncology – What’s Changed?

In this informative episode I focus on the evolution of conventional oncology in my interview with Pioneer Medical Oncologist and Haematologist Prof. Ray Lowenthal AO.

His research focuses on leukaemia, lymphoma, bone marrow transplantation and clinical trials of new cancer treatments. An author of over 100 scientific papers; as a pioneer oncologist, Prof Lowenthal undertook postgraduate training 1968-75 in the UK including nearly 3 years at the Medical Research Councils Leukaemia Unit at Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Returning to Australia in 1975 he accepted a position at the University of Tasmania where he remains today.

Concerned about misinformation in cancer medicine & being in the position of a pioneer in Oncology; he authored a book for the public; Cancer: What to do about it?. Given the rise in popularity of alt medicine treatments for cancer; a new and updated edition is being considered.

Reducing the impact of cancer in Indigenous communities has been another key interest.

Guest Info – Prof Ray Lowenthal Prof Ray Lowenthal is full time consultant clinical haematologist and medical oncologist at the Royal Hobart Hospital, the major teaching hospital of the School of Medicine.

He is also Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine and a Member of the Menzies Research Institute of Tasmania. For nearly 30 years, until 2009, he was Director of the Department of Haematology/Oncology.

Prof Lowenthal is responsible, together with other members of the Department of Haematology/Oncology at the RHH, for the care of patients with a wide variety of malignant disorders. Prof Lowenthal has a special interest in management of patients with leukaemia, lymphoma & multiple myeloma.

He also has a special interest in breast and bowel cancer, as well as non-malignant blood disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome.

He established bone marrow transplantation as a Tasmanian state-wide service at the Royal Hobart Hospital in 1979 enabling 350 patients with lymphomas and multiple myeloma to have BMT.