A global perspective on Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care
12 December 2024
Staff from the Peter Mac and the Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Service have taken part in the 6th Global AYA Cancer Congress at the Convention Centre here in Melbourne.
Titled “Ethics, Equity, and Emerging Ideas”, the conference program focused on addressing progress and challenges in ethical, equitable and innovative care for young people across the cancer care continuum.
AYA staff gave eight oral presentations, chaired two sessions, presented give posters and hosted a pre-conference cancer nursing workshop.
“Conferences like the Global Congress provide an opportunity to come together and share experience and knowledge about how we better treat and support young people,” Associate Professor Kate Thompson, Program Director of the AYA Service, said.
“Hearing from clinicians, researchers and young people from so many places and backgrounds emphasises the importance of global collaboration to improve both cancer outcomes and young people’s experience of care.”
The event was hosted by the Adolescent & Young Adult Global Accord and Canteen Australia and had over 480 delegates from around the world including the UK, Europe and North America.
“It was particularly great to hear from delegates from low- and middle-income countries where AYA cancer care is beginning to emerge, often in the face of unique challenges,” Kate said.
“We were also thrilled to be joined by five young people with a lived experience of cancer from Victoria, who shared their experiences and insights on improving outcomes for young people with cancer.
“As part of the Congress, they worked alongside other young people from across Australia to produce a video that was premiered at the Congress.
“It was a great week of building connections with AYA clinicians from around the globe and thinking about how we can build on these partnerships to improve access and outcomes for young people worldwide,” she said.
Many thanks and congratulations to the presenters from the Victorian AYA Cancer Service and Peter Mac:
- Associate Professor Kate Thompson
- Associate Professor Jeremy Lewin
- Associate Professor Lisa Orme
- Ilana Berger
- Andrew Murnane
- Erin Laing
- Dr Jennifer Chard
- Dr Jim Whittle
- Dr Meredith King
- Dr Naomi Katz
- Sam Van Staalduinen
- Tarnya Hotchkin