New Equity Advisory Group gets to work

A newly formed Equity Advisory Group (EAG) is a key process project of the VCCC Alliance’s health equity program. Recruited from a broad community and professional base, the EAGs objective is to provide expertise to guide the implementation of the
program. At a broader level, the EAG will also support the development of an equity framework to support the Strategic Program Plan.

Research-informed cancer care

Recruitment is underway for a regionally-based Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee Deputy Chair. 

“Patients and carers in regional areas are as crucial to improving outcomes for patients as people who live in the city,” says Sophy Athan, Chair of the VCCC Alliance Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee (CCAC). 

“To ensure fair and equitable healthcare, we need to involve consumers from all walks of life, experiences and locations in our decision-making,” she says.

Shifting Gears on Cancer Survivorship 

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. 

Patient-partnered Research Program

We are seeking consumers Australia-wide to have a say on the development of an exciting new national project that will help shape the future of cancer research in Australia.

They'll be part of a small committee formed initially to provide crucial input at a pivotal point in the development of a new national Patient-Partnered Cancer Research Program with international scope. Later (pending finalisation of project funding), the PAC will act as a key advisory body during project implementation.

Join us in sharing this opportunity far and wide. Expressions of Interest are open until Friday 22 April 2022.
 

Master of Cancer Sciences Graduate Showcase 

“I feel inspired to continue to learn with an open heart and open mind.” Dr Simonne Neil, the inaugural Professor Robert Thomas OAM Dux of the Master of Cancer Sciences says her experience undertaking the Masters has reinvigorated her passion for learning and desire to make an impact in cancer.

The Master of Cancer Sciences virtual showcase, held on 6 April, celebrated the achievements of the class of 2021, graduating from the University of Melbourne degree, offered in partnership with the VCCC Alliance.

Twenty-six scholars graduated with a Master's qualification from this innovative, expert-led fully online degree in 2021. Many more achieved graduate and specialist certificate qualifications to support their professional careers.

How can you better use genomic data for personalised care

A new practical Melbourne MicroCert short course starts 6 June 2022. 

As a clinician or researcher tackling cancer, how much do you know about genome sequencing methodology, interpreting molecular reports, the role of targeted panels, and how you might dig deeper to find treatment options for people undergoing treatment for cancer?

VCCC Alliance with Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance has developed a new online, part-time course to support professionals in the oncology sector seeking to extend their understanding of genomic data and its application in developing effective precision treatment strategies for people undergoing treatment for cancer.

SKILLED Internship Program a game changer for regional Victorians

Entering its fourth year, the SKILLED Clinical Trial Internship Program has grown to cover more regional sites than ever in 2022. A total of nine interns from across the Study Coordinator and Clinical Trial Assistant streams have been placed across six regional sites, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the total intern cohort.

The deliberate growth of the internship program, supported by MTPConnect's Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative, comes as the flow-on effects for patients at SKILLED host sites have taken hold Victoria-wide. Northeast Health Wangaratta, which services more than 90,000 people across North East Victoria from Bright to Benalla, is one such site.

Building strong connections for multidisciplinary learning

The VCCC Alliance Research and Education (R&E Lead) Breast Cancer program has developed a learning environment where researchers and clinical care teams can share information to improve cancer outcomes.

“At the medical student and trainee level there is limited scope to take a helicopter view of breast cancer, assess the impacts of collated data, and have interactions with a live audience,” says R&E Co-Lead for Breast Cancer, Dr Belinda Yeo. 

VCCC Alliance Breast Cancer Grand Rounds and an online education series aim to provide a shared view of what is happening in the development of breast cancer care and are helping to stimulate discussion and collaborations among experienced and novice researchers and clinicians.

VCCC Alliance Lung Cancer Symposium

The Best of Virtual – 2021 in Review - RACV Club Healesville April 27-29, 2022
 
Healthcare professionals treating lung cancer - surgeons, and members of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) including radiation/surgical oncologists, nurses and allied health clinicians with an interest in lung cancer are invited to a dedicated networking and information-sharing event that will incorporate the 'best of virtual presentations' from across the globe highlighting recent advances in lung cancer surgery.
 
Chaired by Prof Gavin Wright, VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead for Lung Cancer, we have a specially curated program, featuring the most significant scientific lung cancer surgery presentations from the world’s leading conferences in 2021.
 
Themed review sessions will be chaired by local experts to provide Australian context and stimulate discussion, with plenty of time for Q&A.