Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre

Alliance

The newsletter of the
Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre

Issue 34 - July 2020

Executive Director's Message

Funding supports research translation on all fronts

In last month’s message I remarked on the breadth of Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding across the VCCC alliance for some of Australia’s big cancers. This month, further funding has been announced that is consistent with our goal to speed up translation of cancer biology to 21st century personalised cancer care, prioritise new technologies and improve outcomes for people with cancers that have lower survival rates.

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New leadership in clinical research announced

Dr Mark Buzza appointed Head of Clinical Research Programs

This month we are delighted to welcome Dr Mark Buzza to the VCCC leadership team. Mark will lead the strategic development and operational delivery of the VCCC clinical research programs portfolio.

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2020 Picchi Award Winners Announced

Three talented researchers to receive $10,000 each to extend their research and develop global collaborations

In a tradition that has spanned more than a decade thanks to the Picchi Brothers Foundation, young researchers are acknowledged for their outstanding work. Congratulations to the three winners for 2020.

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Sarcoma Awareness Month webinar series

Weekly webinars during July

Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA) is partnering with the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre in July to present a special series of webinars for Sarcoma Awareness Month. The webinar series will prompt discussion and answer questions on a range of topics including sarcoma-related clinical trials, managing practical issues while undergoing treatment, life after sarcoma treatment and patient referral pathways for GPs.

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VCCC Research and Education Lead, Sarcoma

Join the VCCC distributed leadership group to enhance relationships across the alliance membership

Use your influencing skills gained from your existing collaborative role to assist the VCCC team drive leadership and strategic direction of the research and education aspects of the VCCC sarcoma tumour stream. Champion our goal to embed the latest research and evidence more quickly into routine clinical practice.

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Psychological responses of healthcare workers during the COVID pandemic

Outlining the phases of the emotional landscape

Good resources and live forums are now available to assist healthcare workers and their managers navigate the impact of working hard and meeting commitments in the current pandemic environment.

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Telehealth Project Manager new role

Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network (VCCN)

An exciting opportunity is offered for a new part-time, 6 month secondment in the VCCN, working remotely to provide project management expertise and support to the Telehealth Expert Working Group. Help shape the ongoing use of telehealth in oncology in Victoria.

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COVID-19 and Cancer Care

For many people with cancer, COVID-19 has disrupted their treatment causing distress and worry

Dr Nienke Zomerdijk, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Psycho-Oncology, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, writes that is is crucial to develop new ways to provide high-quality cancer management and support.

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Upcoming Events

6 JULY 2020, CANCER & COVID IN VICTORIA LECTURE

EXPLORING THE EMOTIONAL LANDSCAPE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS

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6 JULY 2020, SARCOMA AWARENESS MONTH WEBINAR SERIES

CLINICAL TRIALS - WHY PARTICIPATE?

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10 JULY 2020, CANCER & COVID IN VICTORIA LECTURE

WHAT SHOULD BE DIFFERENT IN THE 'NEW NORMAL' POST PANDEMIC? Prof Stephen Duckett, Grattan Institute

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15 JULY 2020, VCCC GRAND ROUND BREAST CANCER

DR RAYMOND YIP, QUANTITATIVE 3D IMAGING OF VASCULAR NICHES FOR DISSEMINATED MAMMARY TUMOUR CELLS IN BONE MARROW

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16 JULY 2020, VCCC EXCELLENT TEACHING IN NO TIME: ADVANCED CLINICAL SUPERVISION

A WORKSHOP DESIGNED TO PROMOTE IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS IN CLINICAL SUPERVISION QUALITY AND CAPACITY

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16 JULY 2020, SARCOMA AWARENESS MONTH WEBINAR SERIES

PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF MANAGING SARCOMA TREATMENT

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22 JULY 2020, BREAST CANCER FELLOWS AND REGISTRARS EDUCATION SERIES

SESSION 1: AXILLARY MANAGEMENT

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23 JULY 2020, SARCOMA AWARENESS MONTH WEBINAR SERIES

SURVIVORSHIP AND LIFE AFTER SARCOMA TREATMENT

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Education & Training

New multidisciplinary breast cancer education series

Monthly online sessions

Breast cancer patient care requires the expertise of a wide range of specialists. To create better, more effective multidisciplinary teams, the VCCC is launching a multidisciplinary medical education series for fellows and registrars.

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Driving skills development and workforce training

SKILLED internship program extended

MTPConnect has partnered with research, training and industry organisations, including the VCCC to implement an integrated plan driving skills development and workforce training to enhance the med tech and pharmaceutical industries. This is great news for clinical trials in Victoria.
2019 interns pictured below

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Spotlight on...

MPCCC 2020 Award for Outstanding Cancer Research

Apply now for prestigious new award; closing end July 2020

The Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium is offering a new prize of $5,000 to a mid career researcher in Victoria. This outstanding opportunity is open until Friday 31 July 2020.

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Clinical Oncology Society of Australia

Annual Scientific Meeting - symposia submissions closing this Friday 3 July

COSA's 47th Annual Scientific Meeting will be held 11-13 November 2020 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre with themes of Quality and Safety, Implementation Science, Cardio-Oncology. Symposia submissions are closing this week. See the guidelines provided on the website.