Interview

1. Why did you originally join ANZUP? As a trainee, it seemed like a great opportunity to get involved in cancer research, in a tumour stream that has always particularly interested me.

2. What are the most exciting developments you see in treating metastatic disease?

At the risk of jumping on the PD-1 bandwagon, it’s exciting to see an emerging role for immunotherapies in GU cancers. It’s also been interesting to see our approach to prostate cancer challenged by recent trials such as CHAARTED and STAMPEDE.

3. How did you find your first concept development workshop? Once I got over my slight case of Impostor Syndrome, it was a great opportunity to see a trials group in action. The group was very welcoming and inclusive.

4. You also presented, what are you exploring? My concept is based around looking at the role of the androgen receptor in the setting of bladder cancer, as it may represent a possible future target for treatment.

5. How was the experience and feedback?

My idea was received very positively, which was overwhelming because I honestly didn’t expect it to garner that kind of interest. The feedback was very helpful; it’s so useful to have knowledgeable people look at a potential project and identify its strengths and flaws, as well as provide direction as to how to get it off the ground. As a trainee, it was also nice to interact with such an encouraging group – it was not a “firing squad”type experience at all (much to my relief!).

6. Are there any next steps for your concept? With ANZUP involvement?

Yes. I’ve expanded on some of the background preclinical rationale underpinning the concept, and it should go back to the bladder subcommittee for further discussion shortly. So – watch this space…

7. What’s something very few people in ANZUP would know about you? Very few people in ANZUP know who I am, let alone any deep dark secrets! In the dim past, I completed an Arts degree, and my honours dissertation was on William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying”.

Can you help us find the next great patient story?

Have you read our consumer magazine “A little below the belt”? The Magazine is produced twice a year; and provides consumers, cancer centres, families of patients, corporate supporters and philanthropists with a lay understanding of what ANZUP does, trials that are open and recruiting, definitions of cancer and treatment terms, stories from our patients currently on trials and our fundraising activities.

The last issue had a focus on our regional and remote patients. We were delighted to be asked to send replacement copies to a number of cancer centres. Patients respond well to the educative nature of the magazine and also, in particular, the interviews conducted with our trial patients.

Do you have a patient on a trial with an interesting story or passionate belief in the benefit of being on a clinical trial? Please let us know, we will look after their with discretion and kid gloves.

We know patients take the magazine home and digest over a few weeks. Please consider having the magazine available in your rooms or consider referring your patient to the ANZUP website to read the magazine online.