Global Oncology Session at RANZCR2022

Asia-Pacific Radiation Oncology Special Interest Group (APROSIG)

APROSIG had the privilege to host both international and national keynote speakers for the RANZCR ASM Global Oncology session held on Friday 28 October 2022. Dr Miriam Calaguas, senior radiation oncologist and mentor, presented an overview of radiation oncology in the Philippines with the theme of ‘Looking Back and Moving Forward’, addressing past successes and also future challenges in high quality oncology care delivery. One of her mentees, Dr Timothy Chua, a radiation oncology resident, also attended the ASM and provided insights with regards to radiation oncology training in the Philippines.

Prof Desmond Yip, from Canberra Hospital and the Australian National University and COSA Global Oncology Group Chair, delivered a talk entitled ‘Supporting Medical Oncology Training in the South Pacific’ with a focus on his team’s experience in supporting the set-up of a medical oncology department in the Solomon Islands and the ongoing collaboration with Papua New Guinea.

A/Prof Claire Dempsey, Medical Physicist from the University of Newcastle delivered an interactive virtual presentation on an innovative highly successful program with global reach, ‘A Plan for Improvement: Radiation Oncology Education for Centres in Limited-Resource Settings Globally’ giving a wonderful overview of this impactful program ‘Rayos Contra Cancer’.

Finally, APROSIG Chair Dr Iain Ward, radiation oncologist from Christchurch, Aotearoa, New Zealand, spoke on the successes of Asia-Pacific Radiation Oncology Network (ASPRONET), an IAEA Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) initiative, ‘A forum for radiation oncology peer review for Asia-Pacific Low and Middle Income Countries’.

This endeavour involves the running of a monthly regional multidisciplinary Virtual Tumour Board and the development of an associated case repository which has enabled training and education for radiation oncologists and other radiotherapy professionals through case-based learning. Further information can be found here: Asia-Pacific Radiation Oncology Network (ASPRONET) | IAEA (bit.ly/IAEAAspronet).

Through these aforementioned initiatives and others, APROSIG continues to work to promote the safe and effective use of radiation therapy in our region with continued reach and impact.

If you have an interest in supporting cancer services in our neighbouring countries, please contact APROSIG Co-Chairs Dr Iain Ward IainW@cdhb.health.nz and Dr Andrew Oar Andrew.Oar@icon.team