Tracey O’Brien: One of the greatest privileges of being a paediatric oncologist is witnessing the strength and resilience of young people
“One of the greatest privileges of being a paediatric oncologist is witnessing the strength and resilience of young people like 14-year-old Amy, who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.
Every new cancer diagnosis is devastating, but telling a family their loved one has a rare cancer comes with additional challenges.
Across Australia, 1 in 3 cancers are considered rare or less common. In many cases, little is known about how to treat them and sadly, as a clinician, we’re often unable to provide families with the answers they so desperately seek.
There are countless clinicians, researchers and community members in NSW working to support people living with rare cancers. People like 14-year-old Amy, who despite her young age, has shared her inspiring story to highlight the many challenges facing those living with a rare cancer.
Today on Rare Cancers Awareness Day, Amy’s inspiring story, like those of countless others, spotlights that while great strides have been made in our understanding of cancer, so much more is still needed.
Watch Amy‘s powerful story below or read it in full.”
Quoting the post by
“This Rare Cancers Awareness Day, we acknowledge the strength of patients and families affected by rare or less common cancers.
‘Knowing I have a lot of friends who support me, as well as a medical team and family that care is what keeps me positive on this journey,’ At just 11 years old, Amy was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called Adamantinoma.
Around 1 in 3 cancers diagnosed are considered rare or a less common cancer.
We spoke with Amy and her Doctor – Dr. Antoinette Anazodo, Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network about her diagnosis.
Read Amy’s full story.”
Source:
Dr. Tracey O’Brien is the NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Australia. Before her current role, Tracey was Director of the Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, and Director of the Transplant & Cellular Therapy Program.
Tracey has held numerous high-profile national and international leadership positions, including Advisory Chair, Cancer Australia; V/Chair (Africa, Asia and Australasia) International Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant Research and V/President of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Oncology Group.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Tracey was profiled in 2023 as one of the world’s foremost women in paediatric cancer by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. In 2019 Tracey was named in the Australian Financial Review’s prestigious Top 10 Women of Influence, winning the Innovation category. In addition to her medical expertise, Tracey has a Master of Law (Health) and executive MBA and serves as a conjoint Professor in Clinical Medicine (UNSW) and Honorary Professor in Science and Engineering (Macquarie University).
Dr. O’Brien remains committed to mentoring the next generation of clinician leaders and maintains an active clinical practice in cancer survivorship at Sydney Children’s Hospital.