No longer invisible. Addressing the unique challenges of metastatic cancer survivorship
Send us a textWelcome to the latest Series of Supportive Care Matters, a podcast hosted by Medical Oncologist and International Cancer Survivorship Expert, Professor Bogda Koczwara AM.The landscape of cancer survivorship is evolving before our eyes. As treatment advances allow people with metastatic cancer to live longer, we're witnessing the emergence of a population that exists in what medical oncologist Dr Lori Spoozak calls "the place in between" – not curable but not actively dying.In this eye-opening conversation, researchers Associate Professor Nick Hart and Dr. Andrea Smith (who herself lives with metastatic breast cancer) explore the unique challenges faced by those living with advanced cancer. While survivorship programs have traditionally focused on post-treatment care, metastatic patients are typically on treatment for life, navigating constant healthcare interactions, accumulating side effects and facing the certainty rather than just the fear of disease progression.The discussion reveals how metastatic cancer patients have often fallen through the cracks – excluded from survivorship programs yet not appropriately served by palliative care services that focus primarily on end-of-life needs. This growing population faces what Dr. Smith describes as supportive care needs "on steroids" – intensified physical, psychological, financial and practical challenges that require specialised approaches.Hart and Smith share their ground-breaking work developing the first international standards for metastatic cancer survivorship care, now translated into 14 languages to guide implementation worldwide. They emphasise that improving care requires action on multiple fronts: better education for healthcare professionals, redesigned care models, dedicated peer support programs and recognition that survivorship care is everyone's responsibility rather than the domain of any single provider.Whether you're a healthcare professional, researcher, patient advocate or someone living with cancer, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about survivorship and offers a compelling vision for more inclusive, responsive care. Discover why supporting those living for years with incurable cancer represents both an urgent challenge and a tremendous opportunity to enhance quality of life for this overlooked population.Visit www.oncologynews.com.au for show notes and more information about Supportive Care Matters.This conversation is proudly produced by the Podcast Team at The Oncology Podcast, part of the Oncology Media Group Australia.
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Breaking Down Silos: How MPCCC is Transforming Cancer Care
Send us a textWelcome to Episode 29 of The Oncology Podcast's Experts On Point series, brought to you by The Oncology Network. Hosted by Rachael Babin.How do we tackle inequities in cancer care? What role do collaborative networks play in ensuring better outcomes for patients and their families? And how can molecular tumour boards bridge the gap for those outside metropolitan areas, giving them access to life-saving treatments and clinical trials?To explore these critical questions, our Host Rachael Babin is joined by Professor Mark Shackleton—Director of Oncology at Alfred Health, Professor of Oncology at Monash University, Chair of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Ltd, and Co-Director of the Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC).The Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC) is transforming cancer care by creating networks that ensure equitable access to precision oncology across Victoria, regardless of a patient's location.Did You Know?• The MPCCC Fellowship program embeds early-career oncologists in partner hospitals to build expertise and connections• The Precision Oncology Program has processed over 1,000 patient referrals• 20% of referred patients receive recommendations for targeted therapies matched to their cancer's molecular profile• 5% of patients connected to clinical trials they wouldn't otherwise access• Regular molecular tumour boards discuss 5-10 cases per session• MPCCC has delivered a significant increase in regional cancer patient referrals, especially from GippslandVisit our website for information on the simple referral process through the Omico CaSP program and access this incredible resource for your patients. So, let’s dive into the groundbreaking work being done to break down barriers and expand access to precision oncology.We hope you enjoy listening.For news and podcast updates subscribe to The Oncology Newsletter,  a free weekly publication for healthcare professionals with an interest in oncology. Click here to subscribe.PART OF THE ONCOLOGY NETWORK... Join Us
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S3 E3 The Oncology Journal Club Podcast: To INFINITY and Beyond! Rethinking Treatment Paradigms and Common Sense Trial Design
Send us a textWelcome to The Oncology Journal Club Podcast Series 3Hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke & Professor Christopher Jackson | Proudly produced by The Oncology NetworkThe Oncology Journal Club team take a deep dive into three standout papers:Craig kicks us off with a timely perspective on the long-term toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors—are we ready to widen the lens? He highlights the need for more comprehensive research on survivorship issues including quality of life, financial impact and psychological outcomes.Kate brings us the exciting results from the INFINITY study on gastric and gastroesophageal cancers which shows impressive complete response rates in dMMR gastric cancers but at prohibitive costs — and poses a big question: are we ready to rethink treatment paradigms?And CJ unpacks the Common Sense Oncology principles for designing better phase 3 trials — Common Sense Oncology principles offer a patient-centred framework for designing and reporting clinical trials.Of course, we’ve also got our Quick Bites—those quirky, surprising papers that made us raise an eyebrow or two. From RNA vaccines in pancreatic cancer to updated ASCO guidelines for small cell lung cancer, it’s a rapid-fire segment you won’t want to miss.For links to the papers discussed and bios of our hosts, head to the show notes on oncologynetwork.com.au.Subscribe to The Oncology Newsletter for regular updates on the latest cancer research and join our community at oncologynetwork.com.au.The Oncology Podcast - An Australian Oncology Perspective
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S3E2 The Oncology Journal Club Podcast: Is DEI Dead? The Future of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare
Send us a textWelcome to The Oncology Journal Club Podcast Series 3Hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke & Professor Christopher Jackson | Proudly produced by The Oncology NetworkThe Oncology Journal Club hosts break from their usual format to discuss the impact of political shifts on diversity, equity and inclusion in cancer research and treatment worldwide.Recent political developments threaten progress in cancer research, particularly through attacks on the NIH, CDC and other scientific institutionsEvidence shows that diversity in healthcare leadership leads to better patient outcomes and financial performanceCensorship of scientific language related to gender and equity raises serious concerns about academic freedomDEI initiatives aren't just political—they are clinical; with evidence that they save lives, with examples from bowel cancer treatment in New ZealandRepresentation in medical fields matters for patient engagement, with data showing improved outcomes when clinicians reflect the communities they serveRegional cancer centres can match metropolitan survival rates through targeted funding and research, saving approximately 90 lives annually in one Australian communityThe hosts encourage colleagues to speak up where possible while supporting those who cannot due to political pressuresPlease share your thoughts with us via social media or email. We'd love to hear your feedback on this important discussion.Subscribe to The Oncology Newsletter for regular updates on the latest cancer research and join our community at oncologynetwork.com.au.The Oncology Podcast - An Australian Oncology Perspective
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S3E1 The Oncology Journal Club Podcast: ASCO GI Highlights 2025
Send us a textWelcome to The Oncology Journal Club Podcast Series 3! Proudly produced by The Oncology NetworkThree respected oncologists dive deep into the most significant research presented at ASCO GI 2025, bringing you practice-changing insights amidst a backdrop of political uncertainty affecting medical research.Professor Chris Karapetis joins hosts Professor Craig Underhill and Professor Christopher Jackson to unpack ground-breaking colorectal cancer studies that are reshaping treatment paradigms. The conversation explores how targeted therapies are dramatically improving survival rates, with the DEEPER study demonstrating cetuximab's superiority over bevacizumab for left-sided RAS wild-type disease, achieving an impressive 50-month median survival when combined with chemotherapy.The experts dissect the BREAKWATER trial, which shows promising benefits of combining encorafenib and cetuximab with chemotherapy for notoriously aggressive BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer. This combination achieved a 61% response rate versus 40% with standard care, with responses lasting significantly longer – representing a potential new standard of care for this difficult-to-treat subgroup.Perhaps most surprisingly, our panel discusses how an inexpensive, familiar medication – aspirin – could reduce colorectal cancer recurrence by 40% in patients with PIK3CA mutations according to the ALASCCA study. This finding highlights how molecular profiling is becoming essential across treatment stages, not just for expensive targeted therapies but also for optimising use of accessible interventions.The discussion extends to exciting developments in pancreatic cancer with a novel pan-RAS inhibitor showing meaningful activity, and advancements in immunotherapy for MSI-high colorectal cancer, confirming combination therapy's superiority. For gastrointestinal oncologists navigating an increasingly complex treatment landscape, this episode offers crucial insights to optimise patient outcomes through precise, personalised approaches.Subscribe to The Oncology Newsletter for regular updates on the latest cancer research and join our community at oncologynetwork.com.au.The Oncology Podcast - An Australian Oncology Perspective
The Oncology Podcast including The Oncology Journal Club Podcast by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke and Professor Christopher Jackson; and Supportive Care Matters by Dr. Bogda Koczwara.Oncology News and Expert Analysis from a unique Australian viewpoint. Proudly brought to you by The Oncology Network. The Oncology Network are producers of digital resources that support busy oncology health professionals. For more information visit our website www.oncologynetwork.com.au.We also invite Healthcare Professionals to subscribe to The Oncology Newsletter and our Oncology Portal for free and exclusive resources at: www.oncologynetwork.com.au
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