I recently joined many colleagues from across the sector and state to participate in workshops to provide input for the Victorian Cancer Plan 2024-2028 which is currently being developed. In particular, I was delighted to see the synergies between the draft plan and the strategic direction being shaped at the VCCC Alliance.
A core part of this is the shared focus on consumer input in education and clinical care, as well as the urgency and importance of tackling inequity in the cancer system. I also noted the use of data to intelligently inform how we deliver care and innovate is high on the agendas for both the VCCC Alliance and the Department of Health. Working together on these and other priorities will go a long way towards improving cancer outcomes on many fronts for Victorians into the future.
Our own VCCC Alliance strategy is currently being finalised and will be launched before the end of the year. Developing strategy for a large alliance is a complex and multi-faceted undertaking so sincere thanks to the more than 100 contributors we had across the alliance and other stakeholders who have contributed - I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together, and can’t wait to share the result.
To support our future growth, important changes to our governance model were approved recently by Victorian Health Minister, The Hon Mary Anne Thomas MP. Following recommendations from the board and members, the VCCC Alliance board will move to three skilled independent directors and five member-nominated directors.
The change will bring new consumer and regional voices into the mix and welcome new knowledge and skills to expand the organisation’s reach and keep us moving forward. It also opens the door for future expansion and membership of the alliance – we are expecting to welcome our first Associate Member of the alliance in the coming months which is very exciting.
I look forward to welcoming our new Directors to our Board Meeting in December at an exciting time for the Alliance as we move into our new strategic plan and programs in 2024.
I was delighted that the UICC announced that Melbourne will be hosting the 2025 World Cancer Leader’s Summit after our successful bid. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the state’s world-class cancer capabilities. We’ll be co-hosting along with the lead host Cancer Council Victoria, and Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC) and McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer.
Having just returned from 2023 summit in California, USA, I can’t tell you how valuable this event is for bringing leaders together to learn, collaborate and share what’s working in cancer control around the globe. What impressed me most this year was the level of innovation happening in resource-constrained countries. Hearing stories about state-of-the-art cancer control measures being set up in countries like Rwanda shows us what is possible while reminding us of the privileged position we’re in here in Victoria and Australia more broadly.
This year’s 50th ASM of Clinical Oncology Society of Australia was a momentous one. Congratulations to Belinda Yeo, COSA convenor and VCCC Alliance Research and Education lead in breast cancer, and her committee for a wonderful program and record attendance.
I was honoured to chair a plenary session and lead a panel discussion on the 'cost to cure', a joint UICC COSA session. VCCC Alliance Chair and former UICC President Prof Sanchia Aranda AM stepped in for Cary Adams, CEO of UICC, to deliver a very important talk on the ATOM project (Access to Oncology Medicines) that is focusing on access in Low and Low-Middle Income Countries (LLMICs). Novartis have provided nilotinib in a landmark Voluntary Licence arrangement under this program, great news for patients with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in LLMICs. Prof Desmond Yip on the panel reminded us of the challenges in our immediate region including Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
It was wonderful to see so many lead contributions from VCCC Alliance clinicians and researchers, including Prof Mei Krishnasamy, Prof Bruce Mann, Dr Polly Dufton, Prof Sherene Loi, Dr Shom Goel, Dr Stephen Luen, A/Prof Steven David, Prof Shelley Dolan, and Prof Michael Jefford.
Congratulations to Dr David Speakman OAM on being awarded the 2023 Tom Reeve Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Care. In accepting the award, David emphasised the critical role of effective communication in cancer care, and it is pleasing to see teaching communications skills now well embedded in clinical training, although for me striving to perfect effective communication is a career long endaevour.
It was exciting to see Prof Dorothy Keefe officially launch the Australian Cancer Plan, providing a roadmap towards world-class outcomes across Australia, particularly in closing the gap for groups with poorer health outcomes. There was real buzz around the conference at the announcement and I’m looking forward to making a contribution to this work, and commend Cancer Australia for their leadership and bringing this together.
Professor Grant McArthur AO
Executive Director
