Powerful initiatives to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer outcomes through collaboration and co-design spearheaded the second annual Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) Innovations Showcase, held in Melbourne last week (July 2-3).
Co-hosted by Cancer Australia, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the VCCC Alliance, the event also highlighted initiatives showcasing networking and collaboration in cancer care, and explored how the ACCN could be leveraged to enhance implementation opportunities.
VCCC Alliance CEO Professor Grant McArthur AO steered the proceedings as MC, noting that the ACCN was a key part of the Australian Cancer Plan and the network continues to grow.
Peter Mac CEO, Professor Jason Payne in his opening address said events like the showcase were crucial for delivering on a shared ambition – to continuously improve cancer treatment, care and research for the benefit of all Australians.
Cancer Australia Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dorothy Keefe PSM MD said the Australian Cancer Plan was not a plan ‘sitting on a shelf’. The Plan launched in November 2023 and an enormous number of its foundational goals have already been achieved. With close to 1000 members joining the ACCN and growing, “We are aiming to deliver best cancer care and holding ourselves accountable,” Prof Keefe said.
Initiatives to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer outcomes through collaboration and co-design
Chaired by Adjunct Prof Jacinta Elston, VCCC Alliance’s Research and Education co-lead in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, this sessions showcased inspiring initiatives aimed at improving equity of care and better outcomes for those experiencing cancer.
The session heard about:
In subsequent sessions, the showcase highlighted an online psycho-oncology resource, Cancer Mind Care, developed by Western and Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service and Peter Mac; the VCCC Alliance-led PEN-TEST Multidisciplinary Meeting pilot for rare penile and testicular cancer cases; and efforts by Bendigo Health to build supports for people with cancer from refugee backgrounds.
Dr Heather Cameron, Peter Mac showcased the @research initiative – part of an MRFF-funded project , ReVitalise, which established an online research hub for regional cancer workers.
Prof Mark Shackleton, Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium co-lead, shared how precision oncology for people experiencing cancer had been successfully integrated across Monash Health services.
The importance of gathering and following metastatic cancer data from breast cancer patients was the subject of a presentation by Breast Cancer Network Australia CEO Kirsten Pilatti, and Richard Walton, Manager, Cancer Epidemiology and Biostats, Cancer Institute NSW.
Leveraging the ACCN for implementation initiatives was the focus of afternoon sessions, including a panel hosted by Prof McArthur and including speakers Prof Elston, Prof Lisa Horvath (Chief Clinical Officer, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse), Dr Richard Mitchell (Director, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital) and A/Prof Craig Underhill (Medical Oncologist, Border Medical Oncology Research Unit).
In subsequent sessions, the showcase highlighted an online psycho-oncology resource, Cancer Mind Care, developed by Western and Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service and Peter Mac; the VCCC Alliance-led PEN-TEST Multidisciplinary Meeting pilot for rare penile and testicular cancer cases; and efforts by Bendigo Health to build supports for people with cancer from refugee backgrounds.
Dr Heather Cameron, Peter Mac showcased the @research initiative – part of an MRFF-funded project , ReVitalise, which established an online research hub for regional cancer workers.
Prof Mark Shackleton, Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium co-lead, shared how precision oncology for people experiencing cancer had been successfully integrated across Monash Health services.
The importance of gathering and following metastatic cancer data from breast cancer patients was the subject of a presentation by Breast Cancer Network Australia CEO Kirsten Pilatti, and Richard Walton, Manager, Cancer Epidemiology and Biostats, Cancer Institute NSW.
Leveraging the ACCN for implementation initiatives was the focus of afternoon sessions, including a panel hosted by Prof McArthur and including speakers Prof Elston, Prof Lisa Horvath (Chief Clinical Officer, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse), Dr Richard Mitchell (Director, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital) and A/Prof Craig Underhill (Medical Oncologist, Border Medical Oncology Research Unit).
