Catherine Owen, a Radiation Therapist at Westmead Hospital’s Crown Princess Mary Cancer Care Centre (CPMCCC), was recently recognised by the NSW Premier’s Department for an incredible 40 years of service in public health.
Catherine’s journey began in May 1984 at Westmead, following two years of training at Prince of Wales Hospital.
She also spent a year at North Shore in 2000, but her heart has always remained with Westmead.
“You have to be nominated to receive recognition of service from the Premier, rather than it being an automated process” Catherine said.
Over four decades, Catherine has witnessed, and embraced, extraordinary changes in cancer treatment.
“10, 20, 30 plus years ago, everything was very different to now” she reflected.
“The patients and the emotions they go through are still the same, but the way that we are able to treat them is very, very different.”
Radiation therapy has evolved significantly, becoming more targeted and less invasive.
Catherine explained what she does as a Radiation Therapist.
“In a very simple, easy way, it’s treating cancer in a targeted way with high energy X-rays,” Catherine explained.
Radiation Therapy is targeted to just the area where the cancer is, unfortunately many people’s views on it as a treatment are clouded by outdated information so its use as a treatment modality is not realised and under-referred in about 1 in 5 of cancer cases”
She’s seen firsthand how advancements in technology have improved patient outcomes and reduced side effects.
Now our treatment can be a lot more targeted than it was even a few years ago.
“Advancement in techniques and equipment have enabled us to deliver treatment at higher doses to the tumour whilst minimising doses to other organs and tissues within the body, thus reducing side effects and improving survival.”
“This constant advancement and learning is what has kept me interested in this profession.”
Catherine’s current role involves working closely with paediatric patients, a responsibility she finds deeply rewarding.
When you manage to get a young child that’s petrified of coming in for treatment to the stage where they’re running to say hello to you, a 5 year old through treatment without requiring a general anaesthetic, or a teenager who starts to relate to you – that’s what’s really satisfying to me.
Because the Children’s Hospital doesn’t have radiotherapy machines, young patients come to Westmead for treatment.
Throughout her career, Catherine has held team leadership and specialty roles, but she credits the collaborative environment for her continued growth.
I like that in a team environment like this everyone has valuable knowledge I can continue to learn from, and I can also contribute to others learning, Her passion for the field was sparked in an unexpected way.
“I came across radiation therapy when looking for courses after finishing school- it talked about patient contact, maths and physics, all of which appealed to me. I thought I’d try it… and I enjoyed it.”
I consider myself lucky to have so easily found a profession that I enjoy and have stayed in so long.