HEALTH & WELLBEING FEATURE
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS Of TROG Cancer Research WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN
Susan Goode understands all too well the benefits that flow from advances in cancer treatments. Not only did she care for her motherin-law during her battle with the insidious disease, but Susan also heads up the Newcastle organisation considered a global leader in the field of cancer research – TROG (the TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group). Since 1989 TROG Cancer Research has been successfully improving the outcomes of cancer patients via radiotherapyfocused research and is now one of the largest clinical trial groups in Australia and New Zealand.
Working collaboratively with more than 70 hospitals and cancer treatment centres, as well as universities and the broader community around the world, TROG’s life-changing research has helped advance the way many cancers are treated across the globe. “Our mission is to conduct world-class radiation therapy research to improve the outcomes and quality of life of people affected by cancer,” Susan said. “In 1989, seven visionary radiation oncologists from radiation therapy centres across Australia and New Zealand saw a need to collaborate and improve the outcomes and treatment for patients affected by cancer. “This bold vision resulted in the formation of the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group; a collaborative clinical trials group seeking to advance the study of cancers that could be treated with radiation therapy. “It’s hard to believe 30 years have passed since then … we’ve come a long way from our humble beginnings and now have medical professionals approaching us from around the world with new ideas on how to use radiation therapy to improve quality of life and treatment of a specific cancer disease. “By collaborating and bringing to life these concepts in a managed environment, we’ve been able to achieve great advancements in cancer patient care and outcomes that have changed the way patients are treated worldwide.” While TROG itself is celebrating 30 years of cancer research, Susan is a much more recent addition to the team,
Susan Goode
having been appointed CEO of the not-for-profit organisation in August 2018. However, her personal and professional interest in the field began well before she took on her current role. “I had been working with the University of Newcastle in primary care research for seven years, focused on dementia and stroke when an opportunity arose to lead the University of Newcastle’s translational cancer research program,” Susan said. “Having personal experience of caring for my mother-inlaw during her cancer battle, I was keen to apply my medical research and management skills to the field of cancer research. “I was then the Centre Manager for the Hunter Cancer Research Alliance for the next eight years, successfully coordinating a locally-based cancer research program involving laboratory research, clinical research and implementation/public health research. “When the opportunity arose to come to work at TROG Cancer Research, I was very excited to be able to apply my skills and knowledge for the benefit of a national not-for-profit organisation. “I’ve always been motivated to work in a role where I can benefit others and here at TROG Cancer Research, our research benefits trial participants, clinicians and health professionals, as well as the wider community. “I was particularly motivated to conduct research into more effective radiation therapy treatments, as my ⊲ www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 31
