An innovative multi-disciplinary meeting for the review of cases of penile and testicular cancer is primed for the next stage of growth after a promising start to life at VCCC Alliance.
Testicular cancer is a less common cancer, with 6.5 instances for every 100,000 people, and penile cancer is also considered a rare cancer with just 0.2 cases per 100,000. Patients with these cancers in regional areas are often disadvantaged by the greater need for extended travel to receive specialised treatment and expertise.
The PEN-TEST program was launched earlier this year as a pilot to assist clinicians by establishing a forum to submit and discuss cases with experts across Victoria. The program, part of the VCCC Alliance Strategic Program Plan 2019-2023, is based on frameworks that have proven effective in Europe.
After experiencing early success, PEN-TEST will continue to expand under the guidance of VCCC Alliance regional collaborative partner, Barwon Health, after July this year.
‘Barwon Health have committed to continuing the PEN-TEST MDM, building on the VCCC Alliance’s work,’ said Justin Ludowyk, PEN-TEST Framework Manager at Barwon Health. ‘We aim to continue to test the potential and value of PEN-TEST for both patients and cancer specialists.’
Nine PEN-TEST Multidisciplinary Meetings (MDMs) have been held so far, with 34 clinicians participating from five regional sites across Victoria, including Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Albury, and Bendigo.
The MDMs have been held virtually every two weeks, and have used the QOOL-VIC program in conjunction with the innovative medical imaging platform AURABOX, which provide tools specifically for these types of meetings to enhance collaboration and discussion across sites. As part of the program, local healthcare professionals underwent specialised training with the software.
Central to PEN-TEST's success is the tangible benefits for patients, which have had national reach. Seventeen patients from Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania have directly benefited from comprehensive case discussions at PEN-TEST MDMs. Notably, these discussions have led to three patients being referred to clinical trials , underscoring PEN-TEST's role in increasing access to clinical trials for regional patients.
Beyond its initial scope, PEN-TEST has become a leading example of what collaboration can achieve for other tumour streams. Projects focusing on sarcoma and cancer of unknown primary (CUP) have expressed interest in adopting the PEN-TEST framework, highlighting its adaptability and impact in enabling greater access to specialised knowledge that has flow-on effects for patients.
Barwon Health, located in Geelong, is poised to assume full oversight and governance of the PEN-TEST MDMs from July 2024.
The transition marks a critical milestone in the program's evolution, ensuring continuity and strategic alignment with broader healthcare objectives. A formal evaluation led by Deakin Rural Health will run concurrently to assess PEN-TEST's operational efficacy and impact on patient outcomes. Independent product feedback mechanisms will complement these evaluations.
PEN-TEST is co-chaired by Mr Benjamin Thomas (Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, Peninsula Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital) and Dr David Campbell (Barwon Health), with an expert group comprising clinical and scientific staff from across Victoria providing expertise and input on each case. Clinicians are encouraged to register to attend the meetings, which are held every fortnight and submit patient cases for discussion.
Interested in submitting a case or joining the next PEN-TEST MDM? Contact the Barwon Health MDM team at [email protected].
