Other News

Quality of Life Office Update

The Quality of Life (QOL) Office is funded by Cancer Australia to provide advice and support to members of ANZUP on assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer clinical trials. This year we welcomed MargaretAnn Tait as our new Research Administration Officer. For any queries regarding the QOL Office please contact Margaret on: margaret-ann.tait@sydney.edu.au

We have been working on a number of projects this year including a systematic review of modes of PRO questionnaire administration to determine whether mode of administration (pen and paper, electronic, phone interview) leads to bias or differences in response rates. You can find our mode of administration frequently asked questions (FAQ) via our webpage: http://www.pocog.org.au/qolfaq.aspx?category=2.

For further details, please see our published systematic review:

Rutherford C, Costa DJ, Mercieca-Bebber R, Rice H, Gabb L, King M. (2015) Mode of administration does not cause bias in patient-reported outcome results: A metaanalysis. Qual Life Res; DOI 10.1007/s11136-015-1110-8

We are also available to assist ANZUP members with PRO research queries via email: https://sydneypsy. qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eV85Bh9eW84R0ln

Wishing Sandra well

Sandra is stepping down from her role at ANZUP as Marketing and Communications Coordinator. We were fortunate to have Sandra join us this year with her expertise and experience across social media, marketing and stakeholder relations. As well providing another key point of view to the small ANZUP team, Sandra was a crucial part of our event production and promotions. In particular, she helped us turn the 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting into the most successful so far. We thank Sandra for all her help, and wish her the very best in future. The 2015 Below the Belt Pedalthon was a huge success. The great efforts of all involved in raising funds have allowed ANZUP to launch the Below the Belt Research Fund. The goal of the new fund is to create a pipeline of new ideas to keep trial momentum moving forward. Up to $150,000 will be made available for up to 4 successful investigator initiated studies.

The 2015 applications were opened in late October and we saw an excellent response. 18 high quality applications were submitted by ANZUP members. A grant panel has been appointed by the ANZUP Scientific Advisory Committee to assess the applications and will include consumer representation. The applications are currently being assessed with consideration of scientific excellence, Significance and/or innovation, feasibility, alignment with goals and objectives of ANZUP (20%) and potential to leverage additional funds.

Applicants will be notified in December and funds will potentially be made available to projects in January 2016.

ANZUP at City2Sea

The Sunday Age City2Sea was held on 15th November in Melbourne. Once again Belinda Jago and the Bec’s Troops team brought friends and family to the race for a great day of fun and friendship. Together they walked, talked and supported ANZUP by reaching their amazing target of $10K of donations. We thank them kindly for all their hard work to assist ANZUP’s ongoing research.

OTHER NEWS continued

4th National Kidney and Bladder Cancer symposium

The 4th National kidney and bladder cancer symposium will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground February 11-13, 2016. The multidisciplinary Uro-oncology meeting is now incorporating testis and penile cancer diagnosis and management.

The 2016 meeting offers an extensive Uro-oncology update. International faculty include Bernie Bochner, Alex Kutikov, Sharokh Shariat, and David Quinn. The program will cover:

- ANZUP Update on evaluation and management of upper tract TCC - ANZUP cobadged session providing an update on latest clinical trials in GU cancer

- State of the art sessions on testis and penile cancer - Overview of evaluation and management of Adrenal pathology - Robotic partial nephrectomy workshop with worldrenowned expert Dr Sam Bhayani - Sub-specialised Urological nursing program focusing on kidney cancer - Breakfast Uro-radiology session for trainees - G-U oncology preceptorship with David Quinn and Ben

Tran

- Update on status of current and future ANZUP trials For more information visit http://www.bkcs2016.org

SEASONS GREETINGS

PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Training

On Wednesday September 16 the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia held a specialist nurse training event at the Rendezvous hotel flinders St Melbourne. The workshop brought in brought in PCFA prostate cancer nurse specialists from across Australia for 2 days of talks around aspects of prostate cancer management and research. ANZUP’s Kath Schubach and Carmel Pezaro both presented at the event. Kath spoke about sexual function clinics and provided information on how to manage erectile dysfunctioning men with prostate cancer. While Carmel spoke about the current ANZUP trials and how nurses can get involved.

The event gave nurses from different environments from big tertiary teaching hospitals to small remote communities the chance to share their range of experiences. There was also a strong expression of interest in ANZUP’s work and a number of nurses joined up immediately. Next year we hope that PCFA and ANZUP will present the event in a combined capacity.

Award winner Pam Russell AM

After a truly outstanding career Professor Pamela Russell has been recognised by Canberra University with the Alumni Excellence Award. This recognition joins numerous other awards including her Order of Australia received in 2005.

Pam has a long and highly decorated career across prostate and bladder cancer. Pam has held positions including Professor of Medicine at UNSW’s Prince of Wales Clinical School and more recently the Head of Biomedical Imaging and Prostate Cancer Models at the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre in the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Queensland University of Technology.

Pam has worked hard with organisations including the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the Australasian Genitourinary Oncology Group and of course ANZUP is extremely grateful to have Pam’s input as a member of our SAC. We congratulate her on her award.

OTHER NEWS continued

THE BEST OF GU Evening Symposium

On Wednesday 21st October, ANZUP visited the Queensland Cricketers Club at the GABBA. Chaired by Associate Professor Henry Woo and presented by Ian Davis, Declan Murphy and Mohamed Khadra. More than 40 guests were treated to a night of highlights of the most relevant, cutting-edge research and treatment in GU cancer. Thanks to all the presenters, guests and volunteers who made this informative night possible.

The One Stop Prostate Clinic opens at Fiona Stanley Hospital

The One Stop Prostate Clinic recently opened its doors at Fiona Stanley Hospital. Previously operating from the Fremantle Hospital, the clinic was designed to remove barriers rural men face. The FSH head of Urology, and ANZUP Bladder cancer Sub-committee Chair, Professor Dickon Hayne said :

“The introduction of these sorts of clinics in other countries has been shown to reduce these delays and improve the patient’s prognosis.”

The clinic’s team includes a urologist who leads the service and the urology nurse who coordinates attendance and arranges the required follow-up. Any man living in a rural or remote area with either two abnormal PSA (prostate specific antigen) or a suspicious digital rectal examination result, regardless of PSA levels are eligible to be referred to the OSPC. The clinic offers an effective model for offering better health to men living in rural and remote areas of Western Australia.

Communication Review

At ANZUP we’re seeking to improve our communication. That’s why we’re undertaking a review to improve the ANZUP website for members, professionals and the public. We’re also looking at interesting new ways to deliver information to our members through our member newsletter.

If you have any feedback we’d love to hear it. Email andrew.tennant@anzup.org.au

How can we improve the ANZUP website? Tell us your thoughts!

Is UPdate delivering what you need to know?

OUR THANKS

Thankyou to our 2015 Corporate Supporters

We are very grateful for the infrastructure support we receive from Cancer Australia however the funds are not sufficient to support ANZUP’s increasing research activities. In 2012 we established our Corporate Supporter program and are delighted that this program has continued to grow. Through this program we have made significant inroads to supporting and facilitating better engagement with our members. We welcome and acknowledge our corporate supporters and partners for 2015.

It’s FREE!

ANZUP Membership benefits include:

• Access to a multidisciplinary network for Urogenital and Prostate cancer researchers, including clinicians, nurses, psychologists, scientists, allied health and consumer representatives • Opportunity to contribute to the scientific and strategic development of ANZUP through its SAC and subcommittees • Support for the development of investigator-initiated studies • Mentoring and support of young investigators across all our research activities • ANZUP newsletter UPdate and regular sector news updates • Discounted registration at ANZUP’s annual scientific meeting • Access to educational resources, workshops and seminars • Access to grant opportunities • Voting rights at ANZUP annual general meeting and other general meetings • Other benefits that will be extended from time to time for members only Please join the group and take advantage of the many opportunities for training and mentorship. Maybe you’ll be a future leader of genitourinary cancer research, and maybe you’ll make the current leaders less crusty. There is no membership fee and membership does not need to be renewed annually. Find out more http://anzup.org.au/members.aspx