Deirdre McGhee

Keynote Speaker, Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema

Associate Professor, University of Wollongong, NSW

Deirdre McGhee is an Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong, an APA Sports Physiotherapist, Director of Breast Research Australia (University of Wollongong) and Fellow of Sports Medicine Australia. She leads breast research and education within the Female Performance and Health Initiative at the AIS.

Deirdre has been teaching musculoskeletal anatomy for over 30 years and exercise rehabilitation for over 20 years. She has a passion to improve the application of musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics to all aspects of physiotherapy. She has been researching breast health biomechanics and the effect of the breasts on the musculoskeletal system for the past 20 years. She has a particular interest in physical rehabilitation following all types of breast cancer surgery and the breast support issues experienced by women living with breast cancer.

Her research has been translated into freely accessible community-based educational resources including: Physical Preparation and Recovery from Breast Reconstruction in collaboration with BCNA, that guides women how to physically prepare for and self-manage the initial recovery from breast reconstruction surgery; and “Sports Bra” in collaboration with the AIS, that guides women on breast support and correct bra fit during physical activity.

Contact details: [email protected]