Alliance Newsletter

There is no evidence that people with cancer are at greater risk of side effects from the COVID vaccine than anyone else

That is one of four key messages being shared in a campaign to encourage people with cancer to get vaccinated. 

The Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Taskforce is driving a new campaign to strongly encourage people with cancer to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

All people with cancer of all ages are eligible for vaccination now.

Regional responsibility to improve oncology services

Imagine living in a remote community with volcanic islands, green rainforests, and sandy beaches. Yet there is no cancer screening or population-based cancer registries. There are no cancer specialists.

According to a recent report, small nations such as the Solomon Islands have a lack of trained oncologists and formalised training programs.

About 75 per cent of the population live in rural areas or villages with no steady income. Many are subsistent farmers. By the time patients present with symptoms of cancer, it is usually too late.

Dr Nienke Zomerdijk, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Psycho-Oncology, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre alliance has won the International Psycho-Oncology Society’s presentation award at this year’s conference.

The conference, held last month in Kyoto, Japan was attended virtually by psychologists, clinicians, and palliative and supportive care professionals from over 50 countries.

Talented, innovative part-time Leads sought

The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) has secured the opportunity to develop a patient-partnered cancer research project across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). 

We are seeking four specialists to join the foundational team with individual expertise in Health Data, Digital Communications, Genomics and Consumer Partnerships. Positions are part-time at approximately 2 to 2½ days per week. 

Applications are sought for the following positions by COB Monday 21 June (extended from the previously advertised date of 16 June). 

• Genomics Lead
• Digital Communications Lead
• Consumer Partnerships Lead
• Health Data Lead

The VCCC Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee (CCAC) is a board subcommittee that participates in the vision and strategy of the alliance. Good governance dictates that representatives must ultimately move on and new people will join. It’s a good thing that ensures diversity, fresh perspectives, and a mix of skills.

But committee turnover comes with a cost. Relationships nurtured over many years and the hard-won nous of knowing how to get things done are not easily captured in a handover document.

Advances in genomic technologies provide clues

Dr Sue Haupt is a Senior Research Fellow from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Dr Haupt spoke with VCCC’s online audience this week during Monday Lunch Live – a forum that showcases the work of experts from a range of cancer-related fields each Monday lunchtime at 1.00pm.

OUTBACK trial among the most important clinical research advances for cervical cancer in the past year

Professor Linda Mileshkin, VCCC Research and Education Lead, Gynae-oncology, and Peter Mac Deputy Director of Medical Oncology presented at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting Plenary Session this week in a possible first for a clinical researcher working in Australia. Despite the inhospitable hour - well before dawn in Australia, the presentation was warmly received as one of the most important clinical research advances for cervical cancer in the past year.