The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) held their 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting titled “Pathways to Precision Care” on 23-26th March in Melbourne, with over 300 delegates attending the hybrid meeting. For those who were able to attend in person, it was the first time in three years that we were together again. For those attending virtually, there was the opportunity to see and interact in real time with the meeting.
We started with a new workshop titled “Precision Science to Precision Care” which was chaired by the amazing A/Prof Caroline Ford and Dr Sophia Frentzas. This was a masterclass for any early career scientist as they navigate their way through the tricky pathway of bench to bedside and then back again. Drawing on a wealth of experience from scientists, pharmacists, clinicians and industry partners they imparted many pearls of wisdom with the key message to reach out and speak with your colleagues.
We then moved to the Pure Science Symposium, which was chaired by A/Prof Caroline Ford and Prof Nikola Bowden. The fabulous Prof Deborah March rounded out the science organising committee. We were spoilt by our dazzling scientists who presented both in person and virtually. In a special pre-lunch session each poster was presented by the respective researcher for two minutes.
L-R: A/Prof Ming Ying, A/Prof Yoland Antill, Anne Mellon, Dr Jennifer Chard
Day 1
The meeting was officially opened by A/Prof Philip Beale for his last time as ANZGOG Chair.
Our keynote international speakers were Dr David Gaffney (Radiation Oncologist, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA) Prof Anna Fagotti (Gynaecological Oncologist, Policlinico A. Gemelli Foundation, Rome, Italy) and Dr Ana Oaknin (Medical Oncologist, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain). While we would have dearly loved to have them join us in Melbourne, they braved the time differences to join us live and join in for a panel discussion (with Prof Clare Scott kindly filling in for medical oncology).
Moving to the uterine session we learnt how we might assess the lymph nodes in the new world of molecularly profiled endometrial cancer, how and when radiation can salvage isolated disease recurrence, reviewed the emerging role of immunotherapy and how we can best incorporate these agents into routine practice once PBS listed. We also reviewed our patients support needs, where we fall short and how we can improve.
The ANZGOG breaking news session is a secret.
In the cervix and vulva session we were again joined by Dr David Gaffney, now a little later in his evening, who led us through the challenging area of radiotherapy for vulva cancer. Rounding out a fabulous session was Prof Eva Lois with an update from the surgical perspective, and we were given an encore presentation of the OUTBACK trial which was originally presented at the ASCO 2021 plenary session. This was a celebration of ANZGOG and to everyone who had participated in this trial led by Prof Linda Mileshkin.
Prof Linda Mileshkin
Next, we heard about the fabulous WomenCan fundraising efforts and opportunities, namely the WomenCan Larapinta Trail (anybody that is interested, please speak to Karen Livingstone). We were updated on the EDEN project, TR-ANZGOG and the OASIS initiative. The depth and breadth of this work is a testament to the vision of ANZGOG and truly enriches our research programs.
We concluded the day with the ovarian cancer session. Prof Anna Fagotti updated us on her perspective as to the best use of laparoscopy in ovarian cancer and in the early hours of her morning joined us for the panel discussion. Many thanks to A/Prof Philip Beale for a last-minute fill in to take us though our expanding maintenance therapy options. How amazing was the talk by Prof Paul James on the ovarian panel and polygenic risk? Certainly, a highlight!
A/Prof Philip Beale opening the conference
Day 2
The next day we started with the quality and survivorship session. It was beautiful to hear the Mauri voice and all the speakers reminded us of the importance of meeting the care needs of our patients and their family. In a special session we had a one-hour case discussion dedicated to Jill Emberson – a truly incredible woman. We were joined by her husband Ken, and posthumously saw her and heard her voice. This was a rare and intimate session that will be remembered by all. We were confronted by the reality of ovarian cancer as experienced by our patients. It can be brutal, but her story was also interlaced with many beautiful moments. We really needed more tissues!
Chair of ANZGOG’s Consumer Research Panel Wanda Lawson updated us on the exceptional work of our consumers, who we value tremendously and thank them for all they contribute to our organisation.
Members of the Consumer Research Panel
ANZGOG continues to thrive with our clinical trials and it is with great pride that we celebrate the success of our contribution to international collaborative trials as well as our ANZGOG-initiated trials.
Following lunch, the afternoon was dedicated to 5 specialised workshops. Thanks again to Dr David Gaffney who joined in for the radiation oncology workshop with a focus on vulva contouring. The gynaecology nurses and consumers joined for the 1st session with Ashlee Williams, an indigenous patient advocate and cervical cancer survivor, who shared her insights into how we can start to bridge the gap with a focus on screening and culturally appropriate care. The Study Coordinators workshop was led by the lovely Donna Long, Chair of ANZGOG’s Study Coordinators Committee. Finally, we had a new workshop that focused on rare cancers. Thank you to both Dr Yeh Chen Lee and Dr Michael Burling who ran an excellent session helping us navigate how we can optimise the outcomes for rare cancers, as well as highlighting the resources and supports that are available. The panel discussion highlighted how we can integrate this into the care of our own patients. Special shout out to the Stafford Fox Rare Cancer Program.
Our conference dinner was at ZINC, Federation Square. We all looked very glamourous! Outgoing ANZGOG Chair A/Prof Philip Beale was very generous with his signed copies of 20 Years of Research publications. We welcomed the beautiful and inspirational Prof Clare Scott as our new ANZGOG Chair with much excitement. Philip now has time to focus on his new and much prized job as grandfather to Miles.
Day 3
We opened with the Controversies in Gynaecological session with the lovely Dr Kate Webber. Her talk “is it unethical to treat patients with endometrial cancer NOT knowing their molecular profile” was brilliant and challenged what really does ethical mean in this setting and the inequality our patients often face when there are unfunded options available. The legendary A/Prof Alison Brand AM was next. Her talk “HPV – More important than ever in gynaecological cancers?” explored the differences in HPV related and unrelated disease, drew parallels with the head and neck counterpart and considered if we should treat our patients differently.
ANZGOG provided the audience with an update on the stellar Survivors Teaching Students Program, which has grown exponentially since its inception. Thank you, Dr Helen Gooden.
The final session before the close was our tumour board. Assembled was a fantastic group of specialists with a formidable knowledge base to draw upon as we explored our 3 cases.
The meeting was closed for the last time by A/Prof Philip Beale who was off to babysit that weekend. Many thanks to the very hard working ASM Organising Committee with special mention to Deputy Chair A/Prof Yoland Antill, ANZGOG, ENCANTA and our sponsors. We look forward to seeing you in 2023 in Queensland.
Written by Dr Michelle Harrison, Chair – ANZGOG 2022 ASM Organising Committee