Dr Marjory Maclennan

I have been a Consultant Clinical Oncologist since 2014, with a busy clinical practice across NHS Lothian, NHS Fife and Spire Murrayfield Hospital. My main clinical interests are early and advanced breast cancer and brain metastases, including advanced radiotherapy techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery and hippocampal-sparing whole brain radiotherapy.

My approach is firmly evidence-based, but I believe that good cancer care is about more than choosing the right treatment. It is also about understanding the person living through it, explaining sometimes complicated choices clearly, and helping people make decisions that reflect what matters to them.

Alongside my oncology practice, I am in the final year of a Diploma in Transactional Analysis (TA) Counselling and Psychotherapy. This has deepened my longstanding interest in the psychological and relational impact of cancer and its treatment, including body image, intimacy, sexuality, fear of recurrence and loss. I am particularly interested in how cancer and its treatment can affect people's sense of self, wellbeing and relationships.

I am an Advanced Communication Tutor with EC4H, was elected as a RadReach mentor and have held leadership roles in education and clinical governance, most recently as Educational Meetings Lead at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and as lead for the department's morbidity and mortality programme. Teaching, communication and supporting colleagues remain important parts of my professional life.

My clinical research experience is predominantly radiotherapy-focused and includes work as a Principal Investigator and Trial Management Group member. I also participate in regular clinical supervision and place considerable importance on reflective and ethical practice.

Above all, I try to combine scientific rigour and clinical experience with warmth, curiosity and an individual approach to care. Cancer consultations can involve difficult decisions and very personal conversations, so I aim to be calm, clear and approachable, and to make space for the questions that matter to each person.

And, when circumstances allow, I think there is usually room for a little humour too