 |  | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE A landmark year awaits for the VCCC Alliance |
2023 is shaping up to be a truly formative year for the VCCC Alliance.
Our next strategic plan is being developed against a backdrop of strong outputs from our current and previous strategic plans and is poised to add substantially to the delivery of the Australian and Victorian Cancer Plans that will be launched during the year.
As always, this process will be underpinned by collaboration across our members and other key stakeholders, and I am excited about the possibilities this presents for our ongoing efforts to improve cancer outcomes for all. I look forward to your input throughout the year as the plan is developed. | | |
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Latest News |  |
 | Outstanding leader in cancer research appointed to key alliance position The VCCC Alliance’s strategic approach to research programs has been strengthened with the appointment of internationally renowned leader in cancer research Professor Mei Krishnasamy as Deputy Chair of the Cancer Research Advisory Committee. | | |
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 | New leadership appointments sharpen Gynae-oncology focus The VCCC Alliance is delighted to announce Associate Professor Sumitra Ananda as Lead and Dr Niveditha Rajadevan as Deputy Lead, Gynae-oncology.
The new R&E Leads are charged with championing collaboration in a systematic way across the alliance and broader cancer sector by integrating cancer research, education and clinical care into continuously improving patient outcomes. | | |
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 | Closing the care gap: equity in action in Victoria Inequities in cancer care are everyone's problem. The World Cancer Day theme – Close the care gap – has been extended this year to include a subtheme: Uniting our voices and taking action.
As part of our World Cancer Day coverage, we sat down with prominent cancer experts striving to enable more equitable care for more Victorians. | | |
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 | Teletrials closing the regional/metro divide In 2023, patients affected by cancer in Albury and surrounds now have access to cutting-edge treatments – and importantly more treatment options – as well as vastly improved health services and access to clinical trials through innovations like teletrials. But Associate Professor Craig Underhill says 25 years ago, the regional/metro divide was glaring. | | |
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 | Eliminating cervical cancer in 10 years, equitably Dr Claire Nightingale says Australia is poised to eliminate cervical cancer within the next 10 years. The problem with eradicating illnesses from the general population though, is that underrepresented sections of our community can sometimes become invisible. | | |
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 | WATCH: 2022 Consumer Engagement Forum In its fourth iteration, the immensely popular VCCC Alliance Consumer Engagement Forum focussed on prioritising consumers in research and was attended by researchers, clinicians and consumers from across Victoria. 2022 saw greater demand for the sold-out event, so we’ve made the Forum available for you to watch here. |
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 | Language barrier? Digital solution: Transforming cancer care at Western Health A revolutionary new App, driven by Western Health's Professor Justin Yeung, is set to transform how patients affected by cancer access information about their care. |
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 | Navigating cancer in a pandemic: the migrant and refugee experience New research by Cancer Council Victoria has revealed the COVID-19 pandemic “exposed and deepened existing gaps in cancer care”, particularly for those already experiencing disadvantage, including regionally based Victorians, migrants and refugees. |
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 | VCCC Alliance In Person: Meet Professor Peter Gibbs Professor Peter Gibbs, Joint Division Head at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Colorectal Oncologist at Western Health, provides leadership across the VCCC Alliance for gastro-intestinal cancers; focusing on pancreatic cancer. |
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Education & Training | |
 | WATCH: Monday Lunch Live World Cancer Day special Equity is everyone’s business. What does equity in cancer mean and why does it matter for patients, for cancer research, clinicians and the community?
An unmissable Monday Lunch Live hosted by Professor Sanchia Aranda AM, with keynote from Associate Professor Kalinda Griffiths, followed by a panel of experts discussing how we tackle the complex, multi-faceted problem of inequity in cancer care. | | |
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 | International Women's Day: Towards gender equity in Australian healthcare To mark International Women’s Day 2023, the VCCC Alliance, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre are partnering to host a special event to highlight how women are under-served by the systems that should keep them happy, healthy and informed about their bodies - and how we can address the underlying issues.
Guest speakers: - The Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Chair of the National Women’s Health Advisory Council
- Gabrielle Jackson, Associate Editor, Audio and Visual, The Guardian Australia, and author of Pain and Prejudice.
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Upcoming Events | |
13 FEB | MLL: Cancer control agencies should prioritise and invest in physical activity promotion Associate Professor Brigid Lynch discusses recent epidemiological evidence suggesting that physical inactivity may increase the risk of up to 13 different types of cancer.
Book now › |
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16 FEB | Thinkwell Workshop: Maximising Effectiveness This workshop takes a proactive, preventative approach and delivers a tailored, evidence-based, high-impact intervention that aims to improve mental and physical health, work-life balance, stress management and resilience.
Book now › |
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20 FEB | Taking charge – Ovarian Cancer and genetics. What should I know? Join Associate Professor Sumitra Ananda and Dr Niveditha Rajadevan as they facilitate a panel discussion looking into the link between ovarian cancer and genetics. Book now › |
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21 FEB | Leadership Academy Series: Followership In this first webinar of the VCCC Alliance Leadership Academy series, learn the role and characteristics of followership that enables effective teams and leaders. Book now › |
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21 FEB | Breast cancer screening – is there a better way? This public seminar provides a global perspective on the current methods of breast cancer screening and the potential benefits of a more personalised approach Book now › |
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22 FEB | Risk-based breast screening in Australia Learn about the UK perspective on risk-based breast cancer screening from our international guest, Professor Gareth Evans, from The University of Manchester. Book now › |
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23 FEB | Consumers as active partners in research
2 x two-hour sessions These consumer masterclasses facilitated by Anne McKenzie AM, will build your skills and confidence to implement consumer and community involvement in your research. Book now › |
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28 FEB | Kickstart your journey towards research impact Have you been wondering how to ensure your research makes an impact? This one-day intensive 'Bootcamp' is designed for early-stage researchers to kickstart their journey towards research impact. Book now › |
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1 MAR | General Practitioners: Breast Cancer Treatment Information Session This webinar is an opportunity for GPs to be informed of the latest developments in breast cancer treatments. Book now › |
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3 MAR | Sex and gender bias: Towards gender equity in Australian healthcare VCCC Alliance, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre present a special IWD lecture and panel discussion to examine disparities in women and girls’ experience of health care.
Special guest: The Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care plus keynote: Gabrielle Jackson, author of Pain and Prejudice. Book now › |
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Spotlight On... | |
What's coming up in 2023: It's shaping as an exciting year for the VCCC Alliance, with multiple innovations set to launch soon. - The VCCC Alliance Centre for Cancer Education, an upcoming full-service digital oncology learning platform, will transform and amplify how we deliver cutting-edge cancer education.
- The newly launched Data-Driven Research Hub is a major collaboration between the VCCC Alliance, the University of Melbourne, hospitals and BioGrid Australia, that has enabled the linking of primary care and hospital data for the first time in Australia.
- The VCCC Alliance Leadership Academy will create leadership-specific learning and networking opportunities, connecting the next generation of leaders with established experts in the field.
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Wednesday 15—Thursday 16 March
PaCCSC & CST Annual Research Forum 2023: Bridging Silos The theme of this year's PaCCSC and CST Annual Research Forum is Bridging silos: cross-disciplinary clinical trials.
The Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (PaCCSC) and Cancer Symptom Trials (CST) are focused on developing collaborative cross-disciplinary clinical trials to ensure better quality-of-life outcomes for people living with cancer and life-limiting illnesses.â¯
In 2023, guest speakers will share their expertise across a range of health and allied health disciplines as well as in implementation science. |
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December Snapshot | |
 | 6 Education and training events |
|  | 239 Education and training event attendees |
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