ANZGOG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting – Round Up

339 delegates came together in Wellington to discuss the groundbreaking theme ‘Breaking Down Barriers in Gynaecological Cancer Care’, shining a light on the cultural, socioeconomic and regional diversity of our patients and highlighting many opportunities for improving equity of access to care.

Yet again this proved to be an outstanding opportunity for early career researchers and all people to attend this meeting and meet with leaders in gynae oncology, both nationally and internationally.

“This year’s ASM in Wellington, Aotearoa was very special – with the theme focused around equity, members were privileged to hear from Māori, Pacific and First Nations leaders in this space who shared their experiences and wisdom. The conference has sparked the beginning of ANZGOG’s journey in working towards equitable health access and outcomes for gynaecological cancer across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Dr Claire Henry

Translational Researcher, NZ

This year’s ASM also allowed the opportunity for some of our New Zealand Survivors Teaching Students program volunteers to attend the conference and exchange insights, experiences and perspectives of their lived experience with our Australian community volunteers who attended as well. Together they attended volunteer focused workshops as well as sat in some of the main conference sessions with the guidance from our research team as to the level of suitability of these sessions for consumers.

MONDAY 22 APRIL – PRE-CONFERENCE

The first day of the conference kicked off with a traditional Mihi Whakatau welcome to delegates, presented by Kaumātua Peter Jackson followed by the New Zealand delegates responding with a waiata. We then swiftly dived into the thick of the theme in the ‘Journey to Equity’ session, which featured thought-provoking presentations on why there is a need for more work in the equity area, and how small steps need to be taken in consultation with Māori, Pacific and First Nations communities in order to make progress.

After morning tea, the conference split into a variety of specialised workshops supporting early career researchers, scientists, radiation oncologists, consumers, gynae-onc nurses and study coordinators; as well as the Pure Science Symposium.

This included a ‘Workshop with Indigenous and Pacific people – Opportunities?’ session which outlined the challenges and opportunities of gynae cancer care with these groups.

“This session has been incredibly informative and inspiring. It’s so empowering to know that there is a lot of work already underway to achieve equity in indigenous and pacific peoples and I feel strongly motivated and inspired to do my bit!”

Dr Minah Ha

Gynaecology Oncology Fellow, NZ

The Pure Science Symposium yet again provided a superb platform for clinicians and scientists to come together to discuss the latest findings and developments in gynaecological oncology. Topics included drug resistance, biomarkers, and plenty of molecular insights into ovarian and endometrial cancer.

The welcome reception provided a perfect opportunity for connecting with both long-term collaborators and friends, in addition to many new faces from diverse specialties! Thank you to all the poster presenters who covered a holistic range of research aspects including psychological, epigenetic and registry studies, drug repurposing, and emerging technologies associated with personalised treatment.

ANZGOG ASM 2024, Takina Conference Centre, Wellington New Zealand. Tues 23 April, conference and Awards Dinner.

“He tētathi hui tino pai ki a tātou.
What an amazing meeting. Right time. Right place. Right people. Great messages for us all to work on.
Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua.
Those who lead give sight to those that follow, those who follow give life to those that lead.”

Dr Bryony Simcock

Gynaecological Oncologist, NZ

TUESDAY 23 APRIL – CONFERENCE DAY 1

A group of early risers started their day with the WomenCan walk along Wellington’s harbourside and were treated to a beautiful, fresh morning.

Following the incredibly popular Breakfast Symposium organized by ANZGOG and supported by MSD – ‘Closing the Gap in Cervical Cancer: Tackling a preventable disease’, delegates began the conference day in high spirits with another Mihi Whakatau, but this time featuring the Australian delegates singing the ‘Waltzing Matilda’ in response to the waiata sung by the New Zealanders.

“The ANZGOG 2024 ASM had a vibrant feel to it, with a focus on inclusivity, living well and the importance of country and dignity. Contributions from all our members and guests, be they clinicians, scientists, trial teams, our wonderful community representatives and staff, were heartfelt and innovative, pushing the boundaries to improve lives of those with gynaecological cancer.”

Prof Clare Scott AM – ANZGOG Chair

Clinician Scientist, VIC

The morning’s program was jam packed with outstanding presentations, including First Nation’s Perspective on Research’ by Lisa Jackson-Pulver which delved into the disparities in gynaecological cancer care outcomes amongst First Nations patients. Delegates were then treated to three excellent international keynote presentations:

• Prof Emma Crosbie (U.K.) – Preventing obesity driven endometrial cancer
• Dr Gemma Eminowicz (U.K.) – Optimising outcomes for locally advanced cervical cancer in the real world
• Prof Isabelle Ray-Coquard (France) – French Rare Gynaecological Cancer Network: a strategy to improve outcomes in rare tumour groups

The rest of the day featured the ‘Cervical & Vulva Cancer’ and ‘Uterine Cancer’ sessions, plus updates on ANZGOG and its research initiatives.

The evening was a night to remember, with over 200 delegates attending the Conference Dinner at the iconic Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The dinner was an opportunity to recognise the significant work and effort of the ASM Steering Committee, and also to congratulate the well-deserved winners of the 2024 ANZGOG Recognition Awards:

• Michael Friedlander AM Award – Dr Nicola Meagher
• Research Pioneer Award – Prof Anna DeFazio AM
• ANZGOG Chair’s Community Volunteer Award – Ms Wanda Lawson
• Clinical Trial Achievement Award – Assoc Prof Alison Davis
• Outstanding Clinical Trial Site Award – Te Puriri O Te Ora Research, Auckland City Hospital

Read more about the winners and their contributions.

We thank GSK for supporting this dinner.

WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL – CONFERENCE DAY 2

The last day of the conference began with another hugely popular breakfast session, this time hosted by AstraZeneca, ‘Ask Me Anything in Ovarian Cancer Care with Prof Isabelle Ray-Coquard’.

Following this was the ‘Quality of Life and Survivorship’ session, featuring presentations on vulva cancer survivorship, cultural perspectives on survivorship and sexual function, as well as a Q&A on how ANZGOG can promote cultural inclusivity. The day included many more presentations on ANZGOG trials, concepts and abstract presentations, including Prof Michael Friedlander AM’s ‘How long is long enough’ survey.

After the ovarian cancer session, the afternoon rounded off with a highly engaging, ‘Opportunities’ session, which focused on lessons learned from the conference and conversations by the panel on how to improve access to care and diversity and inclusion in ANZGOG’s research.

Finally, ANZGOG Chair Professor Clare Scott AM concluded the meeting after announcing the abstract and poster award winners.

2024 ABSTRACT AWARDS

Congratulations to the following winners of the abstract poster and oral presentations from the conference. Delegates were scored on the significance and innovation of their research, clarity of their results, the relevance of their research in the gynaecological oncology space and the quality of their presentation. Well done to all!

• Pre-Clinical Abstract Award – Nikki Burdett
• Main Conference Oral Abstract Award – Jennifer Davies
• Pre-clinical Poster Abstract Award – Nicola Meagher
• Clinical Poster Abstract Award – Julia Matas

“I would love to thank everyone for making this a very special meeting, hopefully our first of many in New Zealand! Look forward to seeing everyone again next year when we will celebrate our 25^th birthday.”

Dr Michelle Harrison – Chair, ANZGOG 2024 ASM Steering Committee

Medical Oncologist, NSW

A huge thank you again goes out to Dr Michelle Harrison and Dr Bryony Simcock, Chair and Deputy Chair respectively of the ASM 2024 Program Steering Committee and each of the Steering Committee members who gave their time and commitment to organise this dynamic conference program.

We are excited to announce upcoming reviews of the ASM in Research Review in the next few weeks, which will feature further highlights and presentations from the conference. Keep an eye out for it!

#ANZGOG2024ASM