Our Authors

The ONA Editor curates oncology news, views and reviews from Australia and around the world for our readers. In aggregated content, original sources will be acknowledged in the article footer.11052 Articles


Our Editorial Assistant and all round digital genius!113 Articles


Rachael Babin is a medical writer, communications expert, digital content producer and trained media host. Rachael co-founded The Oncology Network in 2014. She is Editor-in-Chief of Oncology News Australia, Publisher of The Oncology Newsletter and Host and Creator of The Oncology Podcast. Before creating The Oncology Network, Rachael worked for MOGA, COSA and an international academic publishing house.18 Articles


Professor Ian Olver AM MD PhD is a Professorial Research Fellow at School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide. He is Immediate Past President of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. A renowned oncologist, cancer researcher and bioethicist, Ian has held senior positions in Australia and abroad. With research interests in anticancer drug studies, symptom control, bio-ethics and psycho-oncology, Ian is the author of more than 300 journal articles, 28 book chapters, has written 4 books and edited 4 others. He is a regular commentator on cancer issues in Australia and internationally.18 Articles


Kim Hobbs is a Clinical Specialist Social Worker for the Department of Social Work/Department of Gynaecological Cancer at Westmead Hospital. She holds a Masters degree in Social Work and has been working at Westmead Centre for Gynaecological Cancer in NSW since its inception in 1994. She is a COSA Council member representing OSWANZ.10 Articles


Sally Crossing AM (1946-2016) was an inspiring tireless crusader and trailblazing pioneer for cancer advocacy at both state and national levels for the past 23 years. Sally Crossing AM  was Chair Cancer Voices NSW and Convenor, Cancer Voices Australia. Sally was involved in the Australian cancer consumer movement since 1997, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995.  In 2014 she received an Honorary Doctorate  from the  University of Sydney for “extraordinary leadership and contributions to supporting those with cancer from diagnosis, though treatment, care support and survivorship, in both advocacy and research”. She passed away peacefully in late December 2016.7 Articles


Dr Ursula Sansom-Daly leads the Mental Health Research Stream within the Behavioural Sciences Unit at the University of NSW. She completed her PhD and Masters in Clinical Psychology at the University of NSW, School of Psychology.   Ursula currently holds prestigious Early Career Fellowships from both the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Cancer Institute NSW (CINSW), and has been chief investigator on grants >$10.2M in grants. In 2019 she received the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) Hiroomi Kawano New Investigator Award. Alongside her research role, she is also the Clinical Psychologist at Sydney Youth Cancer Service the leading clinical team for the treatment and care of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 15-25 years with cancer in Sydney. A large focus of Ursula’s research to date has been tailoring evidence-based cognitive-behavioural therapy to the AYA cancer experience, which has culminated in the online, group-based “Recapture Life” program. Ursula is currently working with community organisations such as CanTeen Australia and Cancer Council NSW to implement and disseminate this program beyond hospital walls. Ursula has also recently extended the focus of her research to exploring the needs of young people who may not survive their cancer. She has developed and led several studies to improve how communication and psychosocial support is provided for this group, including the recently-funded Global AYA Accord clinician survey around end-of-life communication, which you can access here.6 Articles


Dr Astrid Przezdziecki is a clinical psychologist and researcher who has worked in the public health sector for over 15 years. In addition, she has qualifications in nursing, and was previously employed as a registered nurse. Astrid specialises in working with individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families. She provides education to health sector workers and the general public on cancer-related issues. She completed a PhD investigating how self-compassion can be therapeutically applied to assist with body image disturbance in breast cancer survivors. Astrid’s work has been published in international peer reviewed journals and her interests include making self-compassion based interventions more accessible to people with cancer.5 Articles



GenesisCare is the largest provider of cancer care in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain, and is the leading provider of cardiovascular and sleep treatment throughout Australia. We consist of 5,500 highly trained healthcare professionals and support staff across Australia, the U.K., Spain and the United States, designing innovative treatments and care for people with cancer and heart disease. We provide radiation therapy for more people globally than any other care provider. Across our network, we see more than 400,000 people at more than 440 locations.5 Articles


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