PRESS RELEASE: Innovative Cancer Rehab Service opens first Queensland Treatment Centre
Thursday will see the opening of a new cancer rehabilitation centre bringing groundbreaking technology to Queensland for the first time. The new Leading Light Rehab Clinic in Fortitude Valley will introduce the OncoLaser treatment regime at its opening this week.
The innovative OncoLaser therapy, developed in Australia, uses advanced laser treatment protocols to support patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.
The service focuses on improving patient wellbeing by helping to manage treatment side effects, support tissue repair, reduce inflammation and enhance overall recovery.
OncoLaser uses high energy, focused laser light to penetrate the tissues promoting repair, pain relief as well as reducing lymphoedema and tissue swelling. The painless, non-invasive therapy is delivered by a robotic laser than automatically scans the tissues.
Similar clinics have been operating in NSW for several years achieving amazing results for patients. The system is based on extensive clinical and scientific research including journal publications.
By working collaboratively with oncologists, rehabilitation specialists and allied health professionals, OncoLaser provides patients with a safe, professional, and compassionate adjunct to their cancer care journey.
The OncoLaser system was developed by Kate Perkins and Dr Catherine Norton who will be present at Thursday’s event. Also attending will be a distinguished panel of oncology and integrative health leaders.
Dr David Schlect, Radiation Oncologist at The Wesley Hospital, will address the attendees to talk about the latest developments in radiation oncology and the importance of supportive therapies in comprehensive cancer care plans.
“Cancer treatment continues to advance rapidly,” Dr Schlecht said. “Equally important is ensuring patients have access to supportive therapies that help manage side effects, support healing, and maintain quality of life throughout their treatment journey.”
Kate Perkins, Founder of OncoLaser, describes the organisation’s mission to bridge the gap between conventional oncology and complementary technologies.
“OncoLaser was established to provide patients with access to safe, clinically supported laser therapy as an adjunct to standard cancer care,” Perkins said. “Opening at Leading Light Rehab Clinic allows us to extend these services to more patients in Brisbane in a collaborative healthcare environment.”
Dr Catherine Norton, Co-Founder of OncoLaser, acknowledges the science underpinning laser therapy.
“Our focus is on delivering professional, evidence-aligned care that works alongside oncology teams,” Dr Norton explains. “This new location strengthens our ability to work in partnership with medical specialists and allied health providers.”
The new OncoLaser service at Leading Light Rehab Clinic in Fortitude Valley offers patients convenient access to supportive laser therapy within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation setting. The expansion reflects growing demand for integrative cancer support services in Queensland.
For more information about OncoLaser services at Leading Light Rehab Clinic, please contact:
Kate Perkins
[email protected]
0425 554 994
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About OncoLaser
OncoLaser is an integrative oncology service dedicated to providing evidence-informed laser therapy designed to support patients undergoing cancer treatment. Founded by Kate Perkins and Dr Catherine Norton, OncoLaser works collaboratively with oncology and allied health professionals to enhance patient wellbeing and recovery.
www.oncolaser.au
About Leading Light Rehab
Dr David Schlect is a Radiation Oncologist with clinical interests in the management of stereotactic radiosurgery. Dr Schlect qualified in Medicine from the University of Queensland in 1979 and completed his residency training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. He then went to St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, to train as a Radiation Oncologist.
Dr Schlect is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland.
Clinical interests in neurological, brain and spine, lung, and skin cancers, sarcoma, benign conditions (including Dupytren’s disease, keloid scars), and rare tumours.
Dr David Schlect is based at GenesisCare Wesley and also attends GenesisCare Chermside on a weekly basis.
David is highly active in his profession: advocating a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, being involved in a broad spectrum of medical and oncology organisations.
David is dedicated to helping patients throughout their cancer journey, and is passionate about educating the community about topics such as integrative cancer care. In October 2023, David was recognised for his extensive contribution to the community and received the RANZCR Inaugural “Service to the community” award at their annual College Meeting.
Kate Perkins is a leading Cancer Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist and Lymphoedema Therapist on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. She brings over a decade of experience to her work. As the founder and Principal Therapist at Cancer Rehabilitation & Lymphatic Solutions and Coastal Rehab Hub in Erina, Kate specialises in developing personalised, evidence-based rehabilitation programs.
Her expertise includes managing the side effects of cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, with a strong focus on the early detection and intervention of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphoedema (BCRL). Kate is a qualified Head and Neck Lymphoedema Therapist and is at the forefront of using MLS Laser technology to mitigate the debilitating side effects of head and neck cancer treatment, changing lives in the process.
In collaboration with Dr Catherine Norton, she co-founded and directs OncoLaser™, an innovative program that integrates Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) with MLS® Laser Therapy to alleviate cancer treatment side effects such as pain, inflammation, and lymphoedema, enhancing patient recovery and quality of life without drugs.
Alongside her clinical work, Kate established the “Bounce Back From Breast Cancer” online exercise rehabilitation program to provide accessible support for women recovering from breast cancer across Australia.
A former competitive cyclist, triathlete, and passionate surfer, Kate channels her lifelong commitment to health and fitness to inspire her patients, helping them return to the activities they love. Her holistic approach, which seamlessly combines advanced technology with compassionate care, has made her a trailblazer in cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management.
Dr Catherine Norton
Catherine has educated hundreds of medical professionals and developed business and educational materials including videos, webinars, manuals, workshops. Catherine is focused on harnessing the power of state-of-the-art technology to put practitioners at the forefront of their profession while enhancing patients’ quality of life.
Heal with Laser is the exclusive distributor for ASA Laser (Italia) of MLS® lasers in Australia and New Zealand. These therapeutic, or healing, lasers are used for musculoskeletal pain, back and joint pain, sprains, strains, post-surgical recovery, wound healing, orthopaedic treatment, arthritis, oedema, neuropathy, tendinopathy and many more conditions.
Catherine has over 20 years’ experience as a business development consultant, negotiator, facilitator, international speaker, and author. She has worked with clients in the US, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Her areas of expertise include technology innovation, communication, strategy execution and engagement, transformation and business growth.
