Targeting Cancer at the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Conference 2019
The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) met for their annual Congress in the historic and beautiful city of Milan, Italy in late April. There was a significant contingent from Australia and New Zealand at the conference which showcased research from our region. Our College’s contribution to global leadership development and the widely acclaimed Targeting Cancer campaign were both on display at the event.
ESTRO/CARO/RANZCR Leadership Course
RANZCR, ESTRO and CARO delivered their joint interdisciplinary Foundations of Leadership course for the second time at ESTRO which is aimed at junior radiation oncologists and trainees, radiation therapists and medical physicists. This course, developed in collaboration between the three organsiations, covers leadership theory and styles, personal and relational awareness, effective team building, change management as well as skills in quality improvement and communicating a vision for change. This year, the course brought together 36 participants from more than 20 countries looking to develop their leadership skills. A series of interactive teaching sessions and group activities are tailored to the specialty of radiation oncology with relevant case studies to bring the theoretical concepts to life. The course was delivered by experts in the field, Course Director A/Prof Sandra Turner and Dr Lucinda Morris.
Targeting Cancer – International Reach
Dr Madhavi Chilkuri, the Dean of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology, and clinical leads on Targeting Cancer, Dr Lucinda Morris and /Prof. Turner met with representatives from the European Cancer Foundation (ECF), a charity established by ESTRO to help ensure that all cancer patients who need radiation therapy receive it across Europe especially. RANZCR attendees provided an overview of how the strategy behind Targeting Cancer has evolved over its first five years, and outlined resources that both could share.
The ECF campaign focuses on removal of barriers to patients having radiation therapy, including negative misconceptions, lack of awareness and adequate resourcing of care. The ECF recently launched the Marie Curie Legacy initiative accompanied by a white paper calling on governments, policy-makers, health professionals, patients and societies to help address the gap in radiation therapy access.
Faculty of Radiation Oncology members are encouraged to take a look at the Marie Curie Legacy initiative from ESTRO. If consumer advocacy is something you would like to get more involved in locally, please join the Targeting Cancer team through contacting faculty@ranzcr.edu.au
Fun Run
ESTRO’s annual fun run buzzed with excitement, featuring a large Australian and Kiwi presence. Twelve relay teams made up of RANZCR members and international friends and supporters competed together under the Targeting Cancer banner. Branded gear and a vocal cheer squad ensured that the Targeting Cancer message was heard in Milan and spread far and wide across social media.
