From 24-25 March 2022, 290 delegates heard from international and Australian speakers on how to assist people live through and beyond cancer at the 4th Victorian Cancer Survivorship Conference, presented online from Melbourne.
During the two days, delegates learned about the latest developments in survivorship care and research and how they may inform progress in the years ahead.
International guest speaker Professor Smita Bhatia, from the University of Alabama prompted thinking about mechanisms of late effects, and how this understanding can be used to minimise consequences.
Professor Christoffer Johansen, from the University of Copenhagen shared the power of linked data, including registry studies, as well as perspectives on survivorship care in Europe.
The conference was opened by Professor Zoe Wainer, Deputy Secretary of Public Health in the Victorian Department of Health.
Dr Karen Price, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners shared her own cancer experience and proposed a re-thinking of language, challenging a shift from survivorship to thrivorship.
Cancer survivors may face many issues that can affect every aspect of life and can be stressful and detrimental to their recovery and wellbeing. They may fear the cancer coming back or progressing, their self-esteem may be impacted, and financial and employment issues may make the future uncertain. We also know that the impact of these issues extends beyond the patient to their family members and they too need to be included in survivorship care.
Invited speaker, Professor Ray Chan, Director and Professor of Cancer Nursing at the Caring Futures Institute of the Flinders University College of Nursing and Health Sciences discussed new models of care, Professor Linda Denehy from Peter Mac discussed rehabilitation and prehabilitation, and both had conference attendees thinking about telemedicine and novel care delivery.
Meg Rynderman OAM and Natalie Maxwell-Davis shared perspectives on consumer involvement in survivorship-focussed research.
The debate and panel discussions inspired further thinking about digital and remote care, transitions across sectors, and the future of survivorship care.
Due to the online format of the conference, delegates now have the opportunity to review all sessions for the next 12 months via the online platform.
Best oral presentation
Dr Fiona Crawford Williams
Using the EPIS framework to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of post-treatment cancer survivorship care in rural Queensland: a qualitative study.
Best poster presentation
Tegan Ilsey
Prevalence of fatigue in patients with haematological malignancy: a systematic review.
Best student presentation
Tiffany Li
Trajectories of symptom improvement in cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity.
Most engaged attendee
Lisa Taylor-Lovett
The conference was supported by many generous sponsors and exhibitors including Platinum sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb, Wellness sponsor, Novartis; Gold sponsors, MSD and Janssen Oncology; Bronze sponsor, Elekta, and exhibitors, WEHI, Bio-Rad and Ipsen.
For more information contact Kyleigh Smith, VCCC Alliance Associate Head Education, [email protected]
Image: Dr David Speakman, Chief Medical Officer at Peter Mac in Q&A with Dr Karen Price, President RACGP
