Timothy Whelan

Dr. Timothy Whelan is currently Director of the Supportive Cancer Care Research (SCCR) Unit, a health services research unit focusing on supportive care needs of cancer patients and the Head of Radiation Oncology Program at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. He is co-Chair of the Breast Disease Site Group for the NCIC Clinical Trials Group. Dr. Whelan obtained his medical degrees at Oxford University Medical School and was a recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship. After receiving training in radiation oncology at the Princess Margaret Hospital, he completed a Masters degree in Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics at McMaster University as a Terry Fox Research Fellow.

He joined the staff of the Juravinski Cancer Centre in 1993 and is currently a Professor in the Department of Oncology at McMaster University. His research interests include clinical management of early breast cancer and physician-patient decision making. He was the lead investigator of a trial which established the efficacy and safety of a novel breast radiation regimen for women who have lumpectomy and is considered one of the top trialists in radiation oncology in the world. Dr. Whelan is currently the principal investigator on two clinical trials evaluating the role of radiation therapy for the treatment of early breast cancer. He has also been involved in the development and evaluation of decision aids to facilitate shared decision making between physicians and cancer patients.