 |  | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Together all of our actions matter |
It was a privilege to participate in activities and awareness-raising for World Cancer Day last week. This year’s theme, Together all of our actions matter, is a message particularly relevant for our alliance and these times and circumstances. It suggests a shared vision and requires empathy and a passion to change the trajectory of health for humanity. Ultimately, it encourages us to stand in solidarity, despite our differences. | | |
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Latest News |  |
 | Just announced: new Victorian Cancer Agency Grants “Victoria is home to some of the world’s best and brightest clinicians, scientists, and researchers and these fellowships will help support them to continue and build on their inspiring work” – Minister for Health, Martin Foley
Announced today is the great news of $10 million in VCA grants to boost research that will improve survival rates for cancer. Congratulations to all 21 recipients. | | |
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 | ASCO 2021 Advance of the Year In news out last week, the American Society of Clinical Oncology has recognised Molecular Profiling Driving Progress in Gastrointestinal Cancers as the Advance of the Year in Clinical Cancer Advances. The latest ASCO report on annual progress against cancer also catalogs a year’s worth of significant research advances, highlights areas of research opportunities, and reinforces the importance of federal funding for cancer research. | | |
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 | World Cancer Day 2021 The VCCC alliance took a look at the emerging area of personalised medicine for World Cancer Day last week with a live online event called Six Weeks with My Biopsy – a story of cancer and genomics. |
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 | Can blood tests (or liquid biopsies) help detect cancers early? The VCCC alliance recently gathered experts from cancer research, clinical oncology, health services research and industry to review the health economic consequences of the use of liquid biopsies and their potential to deliver broad-ranging benefits. |
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 | Breast cancer in young women - forthcoming VCCC symposium Breast cancer in young women can be a complex disease, occurring when they are at the peak of their reproductive years, enjoying family life and careers. Due to its rarity, treatment is often based on data from trials conducted on older women. A symposium this month will explore issues in treating younger women. |
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 | Investigator-initiated trials (IIT) toolkit survey A new IIT Toolkit was created last year to provide the Victorian clinical trials sector with a one-stop-shop to understanding and implementing an investigator-initiated trial. Take a short survey to help us improve the toolkit. |
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Upcoming Events | |
15 FEB | Megan Prictor and Amelia Hyatt, Melbourne Law School and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Audio recording doctor-patient consultations: new technologies, implementation challenges and legal considerationsMonday Lunch Live Book now › |
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19 FEB | VCCC Breast Cancer Symposium: Breast Cancer in Young Women
What are the improvements in therapy and care for young women with breast cancer, and how can we apply these in Australia? Book now › |
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22 FEB | Associate Profesor Gerry Hanna, Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreRadiation and immunotherapy combinations and radiation oncology research at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Monday Lunch Live
Book now › |
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24 FEB | VCCC Grand Round Breast Cancer with Professor Christobel Saunders AO Removing all the tumour in one operation - is that so hard? Book now › |
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Education and Training | |
 | Better outcomes for patients, regardless of age The number of older people with cancer is rising steeply. In part this is because we are living longer, but it's also because cancer rates are increasing and treatments are improving so more patients are surviving for longer, or overcoming cancer entirely. This month the VCCC alliance launches a new, four-week, part-time massive open online course (MOOC), Cancer and the Older Person. |
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 | Research and Education Lead, Haematology The VCCC alliance is seeking an exceptional leader with significant research profile in haematology to provide leadership and strategic direction of the research and education aspects of the VCCC haematology tumour stream. |
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For your diary | |
Palspectives: On Research A virtual forum with thought leaders presenting their big ideas relevant to palliative care.
While increasingly recognised as a human right, access to palliative care is still not a given. Access to the services involved, from medical to social to psychological to spiritual, is uneven across the globe. This presentation will outline a program of research on equity-oriented palliative care and offer suggestions for engaging with people experiencing structural vulnerabilities and the communities that support them.
Topic: Developing a Research Program on Equity-Oriented Palliative Care
Speaker: Professor Kelli Stajduhar
Date: Wednesday 17 February, 2021
Time: 4.00pm - 4.45pm
Where: Online event |
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2021 Digital TRAMx bootcamps If you've been thinking about how you can have greater impact with your research, the Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) Program is nowâ¯accepting applications for its four TRAMx for 2021. ⯠Designed to grow your understanding of research translation,â¯TRAMxâ¯will change the way you think about your research and accelerate you towards creating greater research impact,â¯teaching you practical frameworks and methodologies. During the interactive workshop, you will take valuable first steps along understanding the pathway to creating maximum impact with your research - enhancing your entrepreneurial mindset, learning frameworks and engagingâ¯with support networks from across the University who can help you to accomplish the research impact outcomes you desire alongside a group of likeminded go-getters. TRAMx is open to both individual researchers and research teams.
Date: First bootcamp Friday 19 February, 2021
Where: Online event
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Victorian Cancer Survivorship Community of Practice The Australia Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC) invites registrations for the virtual February 2021 Survivorship Community of Practice. The forum brings together health professionals with an interest in cancer survivorship and the implementation of new models of care, and provides an opportunity to discuss key aspects of cancer survivorship. This free forum is open to those working with cancer survivors from all sectors including hospital, community or non-government organisations, researchers and policy-makers.
Date: Thursday 25 February, 2021
Time: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Where: Online event |
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International Women's Day Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Royal Women’s Hospital is hosting an online event with journalist Virginia Trioli. A panel of women’s health champions will discuss critical health issues facing women today and opportunities to create a better future through women-centred health.
Date: Thursday 4 March, 2021
Time: 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Where: Online event |
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The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are highly regarded awards for outstanding achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching. They are worth up to $ 750,000 each year.
Date: Apply by 9 March 2021 |
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Dec/Jan Snapshot | |
 | 5 Education and training events |
|  | 340 Education and training event attendees |
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| KEY | | Leadership and collaboration | | Clinical trials development | | Consumers |
| | Education and training | | Research development |
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