A/Prof Alex Tan is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for his patients. With over 14 years’ specialist experience and a personable, compassionate manner, A/Prof Tan ensures his patients and their loved ones feel informed, supported and empowered throughout their care.
Biography
A/Prof Alex Tan is an experienced radiation oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre Maroochydore and Mackay. He completed his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Melbourne in 1999. He received specialist radiation oncology training at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne. A/Prof Tan subsequently completed a research fellowship in prostate and bladder cancers with the Academic Urology Unit at the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, United Kingdom.
A/Prof Tan has a special interest in the utilisation of the latest technology to improve accuracy of treatment while following best clinical practice to ensure excellent, comprehensive, evidence-based care of patients with cancer. He established the first stereotactic body radiation therapy (SABR) service in North Queensland in 2013 and was instrumental in the implementation of the first Magnetic Resonance Image-Guided Radiation therapy (MRIgRT) technology in Australia in 2019.
He is also a strong advocate for clinical research and has worked as principal investigator and co-investigator across several national and international clinical trials.
A/Prof Tan maintains an active involvement in the ongoing education and training of the next generation of medical professionals. He served as Director of Training at Townsville University Hospital for eight years (2013 to 2017) and has been a supervisor for numerous PhD students. He is currently a Phase 2 Examiner and Chief of Examinations for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR).
A/Prof Tan was appointed as an Associate Professor at James Cook University School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2021 in recognition of his contributions to medical education, research and patient advocacy.
His clinical experience covers a wide range of solid tumour malignancies with a special interest in genitourinary cancer, lung cancer, upper and lower gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer, palliative care and stereotactic radiation therapy.