| | | | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Cancer should not need to be an equity issue |
At present, the five-year survival rate for liver cancer is just 14 per cent for Indigenous Australians and 20 per cent for non-Indigenous Australians. It is estimated that 2,832 Australians will be diagnosed with liver cancer this year alone, with men three times as likely to be diagnosed as women.
While Australia boasts enormous research and clinical expertise in metabolic, infective, and inflammatory liver diseases, and is a world leader in the science and clinical practice of liver transplantation, there is not a single major program working on liver cancer. | | |
|
| | World Cancer Day: Close the care gap VCCC Alliance’s online event for World Cancer Day 2022, led by Professor Sanchia Aranda, past president of the UICC and Deputy Chair VCCC Alliance, and Dr Kalinda Griffiths, new VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead (R&E Lead) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health focused on the disparity in outcomes for First Nations people, signposting multiple red flags and providing context to why Australia has got to where it is.
In addition, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) partnered with the VCCC Alliance to launch the Menzies Desktop Review of the cancer care system. | | |
|
| | Lung Cancer Advisory Group appointment Associate Professor Gavin Wright, VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead, Lung Cancer is the new Chair of Cancer Australia’s Lung Cancer Advisory Group.
The advisory group has a mission to provide clinical input and strategic advice in relation to the early design of a potential national lung cancer screening program for people at high risk of lung cancer in Australia and provide ongoing input to increasing awareness and uptake of Cancer Australia’s lung cancer resources. | | |
|
| | International leader makes new mark at VCCC Alliance The VCCC Alliance is delighted to announce the appointment of internationally renowned Health Services research expert Professor Maarten J. IJzerman as the new Chair of the Cancer Research Advisory Committee (CRAC). Professor IJzerman has had very significant impact as Chair of Cancer Health Services Research at the University of Melbourne and brings a wealth of local and international experience and knowledge to this influential role. | | |
|
| | Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network news
With the emergence of Omicron driving a huge spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria throughout January and the enactment of the Pandemic Code Brown, it has been a difficult summer for many Victorians, especially those in health care. Although the peak of cases and hospitalisations seems to have passed, the pandemic continues to have serious implications for cancer care.
The Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Taskforce continues to work to address urgent issues and advocate for optimal cancer care as the pandemic draws on. The latest VCCN newsletter covers the updated vaccination advice, new anti-viral treatments and additional supports for cancer clinicians. | | |
|
| | 4th Victorian Cancer Survivorship Conference March 24-25, 2022 The 4th Victorian Cancer Survivorship Conference, hosted by the VCCC Alliance and the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC) at Peter Mac, will move from a hybrid to a fully virtual event next month as Victoria continues to grapple with Omicron’s impact.
The conference theme Shifting Gears: Rethinking Survivorship will consider how recent advances in cancer survivorship research and care can be adopted to better meet the needs of the growing survivorship population. It will also consider system transformation, including lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic. | | |
|
| | New Aboriginal led strategy On World Cancer Day, Minister for Health Martin Foley announced funding for VACCHO to develop the Victorian Aboriginal Cancer Journey Strategy in partnership with Victorian Integrated Cancer Services, health services, Regional Cancer Centres and the VCCC Alliance. |
|
| | The Royal Women's Hospital - Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and as a leader in surgical treatment of ovarian cancer, with experts also at the cutting edge of research, Royal Women's shared how they are working hard to improve the lives of those diagnosed.
Associate Professor Orla McNally, Director of Gynaecology and Cancer Services (pictured), helps to diagnose, treat and manage pre-cancerous and cancerous gynaecological conditions, and leads an all-female surgical team alongside Dr Deborah Neesham, Dr Toni Jones and Dr Nive Rajadevan. |
|
14 FEB | VCCC Alliance Monday Lunch Livestream SunWatch: Wearable photodetector for real-time UV monitoring. Dr Noushin Nasiri, Head of the NanoTech Lab at Macquarie University.
Book now › |
| |
|
21 FEB | VCCC Alliance Monday Lunch Livestream NanoMslide: New slide technology for early-stage cancer diagnosis. Prof Brian Abbey, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences and A/Prof Belinda Parker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Book now › |
| |
|
28 FEB | VCCC Alliance Monday Lunch Livestream Developing Novel Chimeric Antigen Receptors for Brain Cancer. Dr Ryan Cross, postdoctoral researcher in the Jenkins Lab at WEHI.
Book now › |
| |
|
| | New professional development scholarships in clinical trials and drug commercialisation VCCC Alliance member organisation staff, as well as employees from the regional cancer workforce, are eligible for new scholarships to undertake a short professional development program, designed by leading cancer experts to quickly upskill or gain current knowledge in niche, growth areas of the cancer sector.
In six weeks you will acquire practical, leading-edge skills to either design a clinical trial protocol or expand your clinical or research skills and gain an edge in the fundamentals of drug commercialisation.
The special offer applies to March 2022 enrolments in the new Melbourne MicroCerts program delivered online through the University of Melbourne. Commitment is around 4 hours per week, delivered flexibly, allowing you to learn at your own pace within the timeframe.
Up to five scholarships are available for each course and recipients will be awarded $ 750 per place towards the total fee of $ 990. Apply now, applications close 18 February for 14 March commencement. | | |
|
| | Opportunity: Cancer Education Research Fellow The VCCC Alliance with the University of Melbourne has an exciting part-time opportunity in a 12-month fixed-term role for an enthusiastic early to mid-career clinician or researcher. You will produce novel research in a topic area relevant to cancer education research that will contribute to the goals of the VCCC Alliance and the Department of Medical Education, University of Melbourne.
Apply now. Applications close 11.55pm, Thursday 10 February 2022
|
|
| | Cancer and the Older Person How well do you understand cancer care for geriatric patients? Are you up-to-date with current practice?
Registrations are open now for the current intake of a four-week, part-time massive open online course (MOOC) for GPs, nurses and allied health professionals, as well as family members and carers of older people with a cancer diagnosis.
The leading-edge content draws upon the extensive knowledge of specialists from the VCCC Alliance including the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology.
|
|
| | Cancer Survivorship for primary care practitioners This four-week, part-time massive open online course (MOOC) is recommended for primary care practitioners, including GPs, nurses and allied health professionals who are keen to upskill or keep up to date with best practice survivorship care. Featuring videos and case studies, it draws upon the expertise of VCCC Alliance experts, specialists from affiliated organisations, and people experiencing cancer, their friends and families. |
|
| | Master of Cancer Sciences Take your professional qualifications to the next level in 2022 by enrolling in the Master of Cancer Sciences program created by the VCCC Alliance and delivered through the University of Melbourne.
Masters, Graduate Certificate and Specialist Certificate pathways are available. Enquire now. Four intakes a year. |
|
Lorne Cancer Conference 2022 Lorne Cancer 2022 will explore in depth tumour immunology, genomics, molecular signalling, and lung and pancreatic cancers, and other key themes including single cell sequencing, aneuploidy, cell metabolism, tumour-stroma interactions, stem cell biology and epigenetic regulation.
The VCCC Alliance is a silver sponsor of this event. Visit our booth in the exhibitors hall or virtually.
10-12 February, 2022
Mantra Lorne / Online |
|
|
SABCS 2021 - Highlights through an Australian Lens Dr Belinda Yeo, VCCC Alliance Breast Cancer Research and Education Co-Lead is hosting an expert multidisciplinary panel to present highlights from the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and discuss the impacts for practice. All welcome.
The Limbic
Tuesday 15 February, 7:30pm - 9:00pm |
|
|
Cancer Wellness Program for cancer survivors and carers The Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria will host this free education and support program for people who have completed cancer treatment as well as for their carers, partners, family members and friends. Expert speakers will present topics that include practical tips and strategies for living well with and beyond cancer.
Friday 18 February, 11am - 12:30pm |
|
|
MPCCC Precision Oncology Seminar Prof Ron Firestein, Head, Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research will discuss how functional interrogation of the cancer genome is being applied to repurpose existing cancer therapies and identify the next-generation of targeted therapies in both adult and paediatric malignancies.
Friday 25 February, 2pm - 3pm |
|
|
Cancer Council dedicated resource hub for health professionals Cancer Council has a dedicated resource hub to help the oncology sector during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure support services remain available to people affected by cancer.
To ease the pressure on oncology teams, resources are available to download, print, or share resources where applicable with people affected by cancer or health professionals to encourage them to contact or refer to Cancer Council specialist cancer nurses on 13 11 20 for information and support. |
|
|
| | 114 Education and training events |
| | | 9,562 Education and training event attendees |
|
|
| KEY | | Leadership and collaboration | | Clinical trials development | | Consumers |
| | Education and training | | Research development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
