RTi3 2023 Inquire Keynote

Yat Man Tsang

Description 

Every year there are approximately 9.6 million deaths caused by cancer globally. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a key role in cancer management, and it is recommended as part of treatment for more than 50% of cancer patients. As the number of new cases of cancer continues to rise, the demand for RT services has been increasing constantly. In the last decade, there have been rapid changes and progressive developments in the technology used for RT planning and delivery.

Besides implementing the latest technology with cutting edge equipment, it is essential to continue developing and advancing the RT professional practice through clinical trials in order to facilitate the safe delivery of evidence-based advanced RT which meets with the service demand. Radiation therapists (RTT) are responsible for planning and delivering RT treatments and play a non-replaceable role in cancer patients’ RT pathways. RTTs are the constant and familiar professionals for the patient and well aware of their history. They advise on all aspects of RT and this reduces patients’ anxiety at times when they are frightened and vulnerable.

The unique professional perceptive from RTTs is an extremely valuable enabler for designing and executing multi-professional clinical trials with a patient-centered focus. This presentation will include a number of examples showcasing the roles and impact of RTTs in developing clinical trials and evidence-based medicine within radiation oncology.

Learning Objectives

  • Demonstrate different roles of radiation therapists in clinical trials and evidence-based medicine
  • Discuss the unique professional perspectives from radiation therapists and their impact on developing evidence-based practice

About Yat

Yat Tsang is the new Director of Radiation Therapy in the Radiation Medicine Program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto Canada, effective full time September 2022.

For his previous role in the UK, Yat was jointly employed as a Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer at the Mount Vernon Cancer Center and the Associate Professor (Clinical Academic Careers) at the London South Bank University. 

Yat has published extensively on a broad range of radiation oncology topics, including radiotherapy trial quality assurance, ultra-hypofractionated/ stereotactic radiotherapy treatment outcomes, and strategies to future-proofing radiation therapist practice.