World Cancer Day: Close the care gap

VCCC Alliance’s online event for World Cancer Day 2022, led by Professor Sanchia Aranda, past president of the UICC and Deputy Chair VCCC Alliance, and Dr Kalinda Griffiths, new VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead (R&E Lead) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health focused on the disparity in outcomes for First Nations people, signposting multiple red flags and providing context to why Australia has got to where it is.  

In addition, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) partnered with the VCCC Alliance to launch the Menzies Desktop Review of the cancer care system.

Lung Cancer Advisory Group appointment

Associate Professor Gavin Wright, VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead, Lung Cancer is the new Chair of Cancer Australia’s Lung Cancer Advisory Group.

The advisory group has a mission to provide clinical input and strategic advice in relation to the early design of a potential national lung cancer screening program for people at high risk of lung cancer in Australia and provide ongoing input to increasing awareness and uptake of Cancer Australia’s lung cancer resources.

International leader makes new mark at VCCC Alliance

The VCCC Alliance is delighted to announce the appointment of internationally renowned Health Services research expert Professor Maarten J. IJzerman as the new Chair of the Cancer Research Advisory Committee (CRAC).

Professor IJzerman has had very significant impact as Chair of Cancer Health Services Research at the University of Melbourne and brings a wealth of local and international experience and knowledge to this influential role.

Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network news

 
With the emergence of Omicron driving a huge spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria throughout January and the enactment of the Pandemic Code Brown, it has been a difficult summer for many Victorians, especially those in health care. Although the peak of cases and hospitalisations seems to have passed, the pandemic continues to have serious implications for cancer care. 
 
The Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Taskforce continues to work to address urgent issues and advocate for optimal cancer care as the pandemic draws on. The latest VCCN newsletter covers the updated vaccination advice, new anti-viral treatments and additional supports for cancer clinicians.

4th Victorian Cancer Survivorship Conference March 24-25, 2022

The 4^th Victorian Cancer Survivorship Conference, hosted by the VCCC Alliance and the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC) at Peter Mac, will move from a hybrid to a fully virtual event next month as Victoria continues to grapple with Omicron’s impact. 

The conference theme Shifting Gears: Rethinking Survivorship will consider how recent advances in cancer survivorship research and care can be adopted to better meet the needs of the growing survivorship population. It will also consider system transformation, including lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

New professional development scholarships in clinical trials and drug commercialisation

VCCC Alliance member organisation staff, as well as employees from the regional cancer workforce, are eligible for new scholarships to undertake a short professional development program, designed by leading cancer experts to quickly upskill or gain current knowledge in niche, growth areas of the cancer sector.

In six weeks you will acquire practical, leading-edge skills to either design a clinical trial protocol or expand your clinical or research skills and gain an edge in the fundamentals of drug commercialisation.

The special offer applies to March 2022 enrolments in the new Melbourne MicroCerts program delivered online through the University of Melbourne. Commitment is around 4 hours per week, delivered flexibly, allowing you to learn at your own pace within the timeframe.

Up to five scholarships are available for each course and recipients will be awarded $ 750 per place towards the total fee of $ 990. Apply now, applications close 18 February for 14 March commencement.