Doctor granted fellowship to research cancers of head, neck ear and nose
One of the most challenging and under-funded areas of cancer research is about to get a massive boost thanks to a top young Sydney doctor and a medical foundation.
NSW
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One of the most challenging and under-funded areas of cancer research is about to get a massive boost thanks to a top young Sydney doctor and a medical foundation.
Dr Anders Sideris will spend 12 months researching his passion — cancers of the head and neck, ear, nose and throat — after being granted a fellowship from the newly established Head and Neck Foundation in conjunction with the Prince of Wales Hospital.
As the world marked Head And Neck Cancer Day on Saturday, 29-year-old Sideris spoke of his passion for a category of cancer that affects three per cent of all new cancer diagnoses but remains low profile and largely under-resourced.
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“Head and neck cancer is underfunded and the outcomes, compared to other cancers, are poor and not much progress has been made in the area for the past, say 30 years,” Dr Sideris said.
“I studied medicine at the University of Newcastle where I became interested in head and neck cancer during the two years of my internship and residency.
“I was exposed to different types of surgery — everything from vascular surgery to general surgery to plastic surgery — and ear, nose throat, head and neck surgery — and head and neck stuck out because it’s one of the most challenging. Operating on this cancer is challenging — and it’s an area of real need.”
Dr Sideris explained head and neck cancers include cancers of the mouth, food pipe, windpipe and skin of the head and neck. While campaigns to raise awareness and promote screenings of other cancers are common, head and neck cancer — frequently associated with drinking and smoking — has an awareness problem.
Following diagnosis of head and neck cancer in 2017, Sydney media identity John Fordham set about establishing the Head and Neck Foundation, which is sponsoring Dr Sideris’s fellowship.
Fordham, a talent agent and father of 2GB radio presenter Ben, is committed to raising funds for research into the cancer.
Now battling a resurgence of the disease that presented as a lump in his neck, Fordham recently recommenced radiotherapy and immunotherapy treatments.
In conjunction with the Prince of Wales Hospital, the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation has now established the first rapid access screening clinic to allow streamlined services for those presenting with symptoms of the cancer.
Originally published as Doctor granted fellowship to research cancers of head, neck ear and nose
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