Convenors of MOGA’s 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting have considered both their geographic location in WA and the state of medical oncology clinical practice and research in their meeting theme “Frontiers in Cancer Care”.
Dr Chandra Diwakarla and Associate Professor Tim Clay have pulled together a full and varied 3-day program of workshops, education and oral presentations for WA delegates and those visiting from eastern states and territories.
Speaking to the limbic about the upcoming meeting, Dr Diwakarla said the challenge of how to accommodate patients from every corner of a state the size of WA had to be represented in the program.
A session on Cancer in the Australian Indigenous Population encompasses the burden of disease in the community, co-designing cancer care and delivering cervical cancer screening. (Thurs, 3.45pm)
Dr Diwakarla said she was particularly excited to host keynote speaker Associate Professor Bishal Gwayali from Queen’s University in Canada and his insights into global issues including clinical trials design and equity of care. (Thur, 10am)
“Given we had this interest in Indigenous and remote health for this year’s meeting we just felt that he would bring some really interesting discussions into play because even though we’ve got some very high powered niche studies available in Australia, we’re still challenged by how some of these remote and Indigenous patients even get standard of care.”
“I’m very much looking forward to Bishal because I feel a bit akin with him in my way of thinking about some of the ways we do trials so I’m really interested to hear him talk.”
Dr Diwakarla said she was also keen to highlight some of WA’s local expertise including Professor Andrew Redfern, from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, who will lead a session on antibody-drug conjugates. (Thurs, 1pm)
“I think it’s a good topical area, one which we are still all getting used to … and it ties in with that whole Frontiers in Cancer Care theme, not just in terms of logistics but frontiers of what new treatments there are and where are we heading in the future,” she said.
The program also tackles some of the challenges in cancer care such as controlling the overstimulated immune system (Fri, 8.40am) and toxicities in oncology. (Fri, 11.30am)
Invited speakers include Professor Pablo Fernadez-Penas, Head of Dermatology at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, who will speak on cutaneous toxicities associated with treatment of head and neck cancer and the management of mucositis.
Also on the program is a presentation from Professor Georgina Long, co-director of the Melanoma Institute Australia and recipient of the 2023 Cancer Achievement Award (Thurs, 11.15am)
The program will also include a presentation and networking associated with the National Oncology Mentoring Program.
“That essentially, again, ties in with the frontiers of oncology – that whole aspect of now really wanting to look after each other, not just the patients and learning through it.”
Dr Diwakarla said having sessions like these in national and international meetings will help to break down any barriers to people acknowledging they may be suffering from burnout and need some support.
She said Associate Professor Tom John, medical oncologist at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and musician, will be performing at the meeting.
“That sort of highlights that a lot of us have actually got some pretty cool things that we do outside of medicine that help with your wellbeing and help to keep you grounded ….[you need] something else to talk about other than just data and oncology.”
The MOGA 2023 ASM will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2-4 August.
The ASM Dinner will be held at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (Thurs, 6.30pm) and a Networking Function will be held at the Convention Centre (Fri, 5pm).