Professor John Boyages is an internationally recognised radiation oncologist, breast cancer specialist and author committed to the expert care of patients with breast disease. Known for his calm and compassionate manner, patients from across Australia and the Asia Pacific regularly seek his opinion.
Biography
Professor John Boyages AM consults at Icon Cancer Centre Wahroonga and can treat patients at Icon Cancer Centre Gosford and Icon Cancer Centre Norwest. Preferring to be called John by his patients, he brings over 40 years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
In 1981, John completed his medical training at the University of Sydney and, in 1983, commenced his specialist training at Westmead Hospital. Between 1987 and 1988, he held a prestigious breast cancer fellowship position at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University. He established his radiation oncology career at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital and became the founding director of the Western Breast Screening Unit and the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute. In 2011, John was appointed as director of the cancer program at Macquarie University, and he also established an internationally recognised Australian Lymphoedema Education Research and Treatment (ALERT) program, where he remains an honorary consultant.
John joined Icon Cancer Centre in August 2019. John has developed, published and mentored clinicians about Volumetric Arc Radiation Therapy (VMAT) radiation techniques for patients with breast cancer. VMAT aims to improve cancer control whilst minimising high doses to normal tissues, meaning fewer side effects than conventional radiation. Apart from the specifics of breast cancer, together with the Icon team, they ensure the patient has information about nutrition, exercise, prevention and early detection of lymphoedema, body image, sexuality, follow-up care and psychological support.
John has published over 200 clinical research articles in leading publications investigating breast cancer and lymphoedema. He has authored five “Taking Control:” books about breast cancer, male breast cancer, DCIS, Vaccinations after Cancer and Lymphoedema for patients and is regularly requested to peer review breast cancer and lymphoedema journal articles (www.bcpublish.com). In addition to his private practice, John is a regularly invited speaker at national and international conferences, including patient support groups.
In January 2017, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to medicine in the specialty of radiation oncology as a clinician, to medical education, to professional organisations and people with breast cancer”. John accepts referrals for breast disease, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer, lymphoedema and recurrent breast cancer.
He is an expert in 5-fraction accelerated partial breast irradiation and uses 5-fraction whole breast radiation for selected patients.