Dr Viet Do is an experienced clinical researcher in the gynaecological cancer space. As an ANZGOG member and Director of Radiation Oncology at SWSLHD at Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals, Dr Do is passionate about educating future specialists in the field and improving outcomes for women with endometrial cancer.
Dr Viet Do is the Director of Radiation Oncology at SWSLHD at Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals in NSW. This position has nurtured his leadership skills, and ability to form relationships among the multidisciplinary group of ANZGOG. Viet is an experienced clinical researcher in gynaecological and urological malignancies and recently completed a PhD in health outcome cancer research from the well-known Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CCORE), Liverpool, NSW Australia.
Viet has been involved in undergraduate and postgraduate training and education. He is passionate about training the next team of specialist in training, who will treat and care for our patients diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.
Why did you pursue a career in radiation oncology?
In 1994, I completed a JMO term in Radiation Oncology, with the late Dr Colin Bull as the term supervisor. Colin embodied what I love about medicine and enlightened me with the uniqueness of radiation oncology, the combination of clinical skill, the importance of cancer patient care, and the ability to make a difference with the fast-evolving high-tech of the linear accelerator.
How and when did you first get involved with ANZGOG and what does being a member of ANZGOG mean to you?
Dr Alison Brand was my first gynae-oncological surgical partner. Knowing Alison’s power of persuasion, it was only a matter of time before I got involved with ANZGOG. I felt right at home at the first ASM.
“I am immensely proud of being a member of ANZGOG as the organisation’s vision aligns with each one of us: that is to conduct clinical trials that make a difference to our cancer patients.”
What do you think will be the biggest change in cancer research over the next 5 years?
We expect to see significant integration of artificial intelligence and big data analysis into radiotherapy, the use of particle and proton irradiation with high-precision techniques, and novel clinical trials with stratification of patients by biological parameters to differentiate between cancer of the same histology and same stage.
What advice do you give your patients starting on their cancer treatment journey?
I always tell our patients that cancer is a difficult journey, that they will likely be vulnerable and that their quality of life will change. My team will be there for them along their journey and they will never have to walk alone.
A book that changed your life?
Three comrades by Eric Maria Remarque. It tells the story of a special friendship between three young men, as they navigate their way through the chaos of post-war Germany. The youngest member finds love, with the young woman becoming their fourth comrade. Their story of love and friendship demonstrates their resilience and the greatness of human spirit.
Tell us something that fellow ANZGOG members may not know about you.
I love reading poetry. As Billy Collins once said, poetry is the only history of that we have of the human heart.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
Completing my PhD. It has been a seven-year long project and I am still on the waiting list for the award ceremony. It feels as though I have won the lottery and am yet to claim my prize.
How will women benefit from research you’ve been involved with?
I must thank ANZGOG and its members for allowing me to be part of PORTEC-3, a project which will benefit women with endometrial cancer. PORTEC-3 showed that the addition of chemotherapy to standard pelvic radiotherapy prolongs life when compared to pelvic radiotherapy alone in locally advanced endometrial cancer.
“It is amazing when you can be part of something that is practice-changing and improves the outcomes of our patients.”
If you’re an ANZGOG Member, fundraiser, supporter, or cancer survivor; if you’d like to share your story with ANZGOG, please get in touch with hnesfield@anzgog.org.au.
