Future Dreams is proud to announce the launch of its new Skin & Hair Health Advisory Board, bringing together leading specialists to provide expert guidance for people impacted by breast cancer.
As Future Dreams continues to expand its services – delivering over 100 workshops and one-to-one support appointments – the Advisory Board will ensure that all programmes remain safe, effective, evidence-based, and aligned with the latest UK regulations.
The new board, established in August 2025, will focus specifically on the management of skin and hair health during and after cancer treatment. These experts will advise Future Dreams in shaping services that address common challenges such as skin toxicities, radiotherapy reactions, and hair loss.
This is the first of four Future Dreams Advisory Boards, that will include Mental Health, Safe Movement & Exercise and a Visitor Voices Panel.
Meet the Advisory Board Members
Dr Fiona McCarthy MB ChB MRCP PhD – Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, St George’s Hospital
Dr Fiona McCarthy is a consultant medical oncologist with a specialist interest in supportive onco-dermatology. Dr McCarthy undertook her undergraduate training at the University of SheGield and completed her oncology training at Barts and the London NHS trust in 2018. She was awarded a PhD by the University of London for her research on the interplay between inflammation and non- small cell lung cancer.
She was appointed as a consultant medical oncologist in 2018 and was Clinical Lead for the Rapid Diagnostics Unit at St Georges, a national NHS initiative to speed up cancer diagnosis and improve patient experience. Dr McCarthy is a Key Opinion Leader in Oncology for La Roche Posay where her focus is educating fellow health care professionals on managing skin toxicities caused by all cancer treatments.
Naman Julka-Anderson BSc, MSc, Independent & Supplementary Prescriber – Researcher, Royal Marsden Hospital
Naman qualified as a therapeutic radiographer in 2017 and now works at an advanced practice level currently working in research at the Royal Marsden Hospitals & institute of cancer research where he is working on his own research project to design a new skin assessment tool for people of colour that experience a skin reaction from radiotherapy. He is also an allied health professional clinical advisor for Macmillan Cancer Support Charity and co-founded the multi-award-winning podcast and education platform, Rad Chat.
In 2024, he was the first therapeutic radiographer in history to win the CAHPO leadership for EDI and overall AHP of the year, along with the joint first therapeutic radiographer in history to win the CAHPO gold award. This year, 2025, he was the first therapeutic radiographer in history to be a finalist in the prestigious advancing healthcare awards within the tackling health inequalities category.
Jackie Wright – Lead Clinical Breast Care Nurse Specialist, Future Dreams
Jackie is a qualified Breast Care Nurse Specialist with more than 22 years’ experience in supporting those affected by breast cancer. Jackie has vast experience in working in the private sector and the NHS. Jackie spent the last 15 years working in the NHS at two large NHS Foundation Trusts and in her last post was a lead clinical nurse specialist responsible for managing a team of breast clinical nurse specialist and overseeing the day-to-day management of the breast unit.
Dr Kara Heelan – Consultant Dermatologist, The Royal Marsden Hospital
Dr Kara specialises in supportive dermato-oncology, skin cancer and drug reactions.
She graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) Medical School and when on to complete the Advanced Medical Dermatology Fellowship at the University of Toronto with a special interest in drug reactions. She subsequently completed a Fellowship in Skin Cancer and Dermatological Surgery at University College London Hospital (UCLH). She was awarded her MD Thesis for her work on autoimmune bullous dermatoses from University College Cork (UCC).
Since 2017, she has published papers on her work related to cutaneous toxicities associated with the ever-evolving therapies in the treatment of cancer including immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Dr Heelan sits on the Lynch Syndrome Team Network Group, the British Association of Dermatologists Bullous Pemphigoid guideline group and the RM Partners Skin Cancer pathway group.
Shaping the Future of Support
The launch of this Advisory Board marks an important step in Future Dreams’ mission to provide the very best care and support for those affected by breast cancer. By bringing together leaders in oncology, dermatology, radiography, and nursing, Future Dreams ensures its services remain at the forefront of research, innovation, and compassionate care.
“Our new Skin & Hair Health Advisory Board will help us provide safe, evidence-based support at every stage of the breast cancer journey,” said Lisa Behzadi, Head of Programmes and Services. “We are honoured to welcome such an exceptional group of experts, whose insights will directly benefit the thousands of people we work with each year.”
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Sylvie and Danielle began Future Dreams with just £100 in 2008. They believed nobody should face breast cancer alone. Their legacy lives on in Future Dreams House. We couldn’t continue to fund support services for those touched by breast cancer, raise awareness of breast cancer and promote early diagnosis and advance research into secondary breast cancer without your help. Please consider partnering with us or making a donation.