Leaders and influencers sought for new VCCC Steering Groups

Following the announcement of funding for the VCCC in the recent Victorian Budget, expressions of interest are now open for experts to join nine new program steering groups. Over the past 12 months, more than 100 experts and consumers from across the VCCC alliance came together to conceptualise an innovative, high impact, strategic approach to support the transformation in cancer outcomes through collaborative action. With funding now secured, we are ready to prioritise and finalise the programs that will form the VCCC Strategic Program Plan 2021-24. 

A shared vision: Consumer engagement in research

The second annual consumer engagement forum on Wednesday 9 December, hosted by the VCCC Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee (CCAC) brought together consumers and researchers in equal numbers, as well as those who support these working relationships.

The Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network beyond the pandemic

In March this year, the VCCC alliance and Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium joined forces to create the Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network (VCCN) to provide an agile cancer sector response to the rapidly evolving issues created by the pandemic. The network has demonstrated a united and engaged Victorian cancer sector, with systems and processes now in place to continue collaborations into the future.

Investigator-initiated trials (IIT) toolkit survey

The VCCC and Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH), with assistance from the Melbourne Children's Trials Centre created a new IIT Toolkit this year. The toolkit is accessible via the VCCC website and provides the Victorian clinical trials sector with a one-stop-shop to understanding and implementing an investigator-initiated trial. Users of the toolkit are invited to complete a short survey of around five minutes to identify how the resource can be further developed and improved.

Australia's inaugural cancer science course produces first graduates

The inaugural class of the Master of Cancer Sciences from the University of Melbourne and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre has completed the groundbreaking new course.

Demand has grown since the first intake of 33 students two years ago, with 184 people of all ages, backgrounds and career stages currently enrolled in a Graduate Certificate, Specialist Certificate or Master’s pathway. 

Establishing a global community for cancer nursing research

Professor Meinir Krishnasamy, the lead of VCCC Nurse-led Research Hub (the Hub), co-chaired the Global Academic Programs (GAP) 2020 conference nursing concurrent session with Patricia Johnston, Executive Director, MD Anderson. Mei spoke about the multi-dimensional approach taken to the development and delivery of the Hub and presented evidence of its success and impact.

Help us to help you - survey

To continue to provide topical, relevant education in 2021, we'd like to know what you need and want. 

We hope that by identifying existing knowledge and skills gaps, we will be able to develop future programming to address these areas. We value your input and would appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete a short survey to help identify educational and professional development needs.