Convenors’ Welcome

In 2023 the national medical oncology profession gathered in Perth, Western Australia for our 44th Annual Scientific Meeting. The national meeting of the Australian Medical Oncology profession comprised a robust academic program focused on the latest developments in medical oncology clinical practice and research, supplemented by a range of professional and social networking activities. We selected the theme of Frontiers in Cancer Care to reflect our geographic location, the scope of the meeting program and the strong representation from chairs and presenters many based in the West; including A/Prof Andrew Redfern, Prof Sandra Thompson, Prof Paul Cohen and Prof Richard Carey-Smith.

This year's Cancer Achievement Award Winner, Prof Georgina Long AO, was announced at the meeting and gave an inspiring address on Towards Zero Deaths from Melanoma. The meeting line-up featured two international presenters, A/Prof Bishal Gwayali (Canada) who delivered the Keynote Address on Equity in Cancer Care and presented on Pitfalls in Interpreting Cancer Clinical Trials and Common Sense in Oncology; A/Prof Matteo Lambertini (Italy) who presented on Advanced Breast Cancer, Challenging Toxicities in Oncology and Clinician Wellbeing. Other major plenary sessions, symposia, highlight and breakfast sessions focused on Gynecology (e.g., Masterclass with A/Prof Emma Allanson and Prof Linda Mileshkin), Breast and Thoracic (e.g., Expanding Roles of Antibody Drug Conjugates in Cancer Therapy), Genitourinary (e.g., Kidneys, Cardiolo-Oncology and Controlling Kryptonite) and Head and Neck cancers (e.g., Cutaneous Toxicities-EGFR, Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy with Prof Pablo Fernandez-Penas) and a timely session on Indigenous Cancer Care.

A dedicated Trainees (Sarcoma Masterclass) and Young Oncologists (Managing Complex Issues) Education Program was presented along with a joint Dinner Meeting on BRAF-mut CRC Treatments. The Meeting incorporated a large Industry Exhibition, Poster Display and a well-attended Dinner at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. The ASM Abstract and Poster Program offered generous Awards for Oral presentations and will be published online. The program also included an update from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians’ Training Committee Medical Oncology and opportunities to complete mandatory Supervisor training. The meeting also supported the MOGA National Mentorship Program with the provision of a Networking Lounge.

We would like to thank our many session chairs, presenters, members, and industry for supporting the 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. We hope you found the meeting a valuable professional experience and enjoyed some of the delights of our home in the West.

Dr Chandra Diwakarla and A/Prof Tim Clay

2023 ASM Co-Convenors