05 May 2010
Brain Tumour Support and Education Forum 2010
Leading brain tumour clinicians, health professionals and researchers gathered to discuss breakthroughs and provide education and support to over 200 brain tumour patients, carers, families, friends and health professionals as part of the Brain Tumour Support and Education Forum, hosted by the Cancer Institute’s NSW Oncology Group (NSWOG) Neuro-Oncology.
The forum was opened by Deputy Premier and NSW Minister for
Health, Carmel Tebbutt and featured International guest speaker Dr
Tim Cloughesy, a Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School
of Medicine at the University of California, LA (UCLA).
The day finished on a musical high, with radio personality Alan
Jones taking to the microphone in an opera coat to sing with The
Skat Kats, a band of family and friends of babies and children
being treated for brain cancer.
The forum was part of the Inaugural Brain Cancer Action Week
(BCAW), an initiative of Cancer Council NSW in collaboration with
the NSW Oncology Group Neuro-Oncology and AGOG. The aim of the week
was to highlight the devastating impact of brain cancer, to broaden
support and participation in the current strategy being pursued in
Australian brain cancer research and to stimulate ongoing funding
in this area.
Click here to
read more about the week.
Welcome
The Hon. Minister Carmel Tebbutt, Deputy Premier and NSW
Minister for Health officially opened the forum and welcomed guests
and speakers.
Keynote Speaker - Dr Tim Cloughesy
Dr Tim Cloughesy provided a considered overview demystifying
brain cancer by educating participants on the genetics of brain
tumours and the clues provided by tissue, with the overarching
mantra that 'every patient is a part of the cure'.
Treatment Updates
Surgery
Dr Brindha Shivalingam, Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeon Dr Brindha Shivalingam used case study examples to
describe brain surgery - why surgery is performed in some cases and
not others, and the techniques used.
Radiation Oncology
Dr Eng-Siew Koh, Radiation Oncologist, Liverpool
Hospital
Dr Eng-Siew Koh provided a comprehensive overview of radiation
therapies used for brain tumour patients, including treatment
considerations, benefits and short, medium and long-term
side-effects.
Medical Oncology
Dr Helen Wheeler, Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore
Hospital
Drug therapies were described in detail by Medical Oncologist Dr
Helen Wheeler, who addressed chemotherapy complexities and the
importance of individualised treatment reflecting cell and tissue
variations .
Rehabilitation
A/Professor Andrew Cole, Senior Consultant in
Rehabilitation Medicine,St George Hospital
A/Professor Andrew Cole addressed the complex realm of life and
work after a brain tumour - including the continuum of tumour
survival outcomes, work-related issues and problems for disabled
cancer survivors.
Nursing
Rochelle Firth, Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner, Royal
North Shore Hospital
Brain tumours were explored from a nursing perspective by
Rochelle Firth, who spoke about identifying brain tumour support
groups and support services, getting organised and the importance
of these factors in helping brain tumour patients and carers to get
on with life.
Neuropsychology
Professor David Shum, Deputy Director, Griffith Institute
for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University,
Brisbane
Professor David Shum described the type and nature of physical,
cognitive, emotional and social changes brain tumour patients
encounter and strategies that could be used to cope, with the
assistance of a Clinical Neuropsychologist.
Cancer Council NSW
John Friedsam, Project Coordinator, Family
Support
John Friedsam presented a comprehensive overview of support
services available through the Cancer Council NSW, including
helpful tips, tools and strategies. He also addressed psychosocial
needs of cancer patients and common impact areas.
Getting on with life - patient view
Chaired by Medical Oncologist, Dr Elizabeth
Hovey
Photo from left to right: Dr Elizabeth Hovey, Anita Berghout,
Mark Bishop, Julian Huxley and Audrey Myrden.
This inspirational panel included brain tumour patients and
survivors and was chaired by Medical Oncologist, Dr Elizabeth
Hovey.
Anita Berghout
Mark Bishop
Julian Huxley
Audrey Myrden
Paediatric program
Medical Oncology
Professor Stewart Kellie, Neuro-Oncologist, The Children's
Hospital at Westmead
Professor Stewart Kellie gave a general overview of childhood
cancers, and explained survival curves, tissue banking, late
effects and quality of life.
Radiation Oncology
Dr Verity Ahern, Radiation Oncologist, Westmead
Hospital
Radiation Oncologist Dr Verity Ahern provided an overview of the
practical aspects of treating with radiotherapy, the types of
tumours are treated, how it is administered and potential side
effects and late effects.
Surgery
Dr Erica Jacobson, Neurosurgeon, Sydney Children's
Hospital
Dr Erica Jacobson addressed the limitations of surgery and
factors for consideration, including tumour location and tumour
type. She also highlighted potential complications and effects of
surgery on children.
Aetiology
Dr Lesley Ashton, Epidemiologist, Children's Cancer
Institute
Dr Lesley Ashton presented local statistics, including
prevalence and survival data and addressed the causes of childhood
brain tumours, such as environmental exposures, genetic make-up and
its impact on risk and potential risk factors.
Research & drugs
Dr David Ziegler, Neuro-Oncologist, Sydney Children's
Hospital
Dr David Ziegler gave an overview of research and drugs for
childhood brain tumours, focusing on the potential impact of
targeted therapies and their influence in improving cure rates.
Psychological Impact
Catherine McKersie & Nathan MacArthur, Neuro-oncology
Social Workers
Paediatric oncology social workers Catherine McKersie and Nathan
MacArthur focused on strategies for minimising the impact of brain
tumours and facilitating long-term coping.
Late Effects of Treatment
Dr Richard Cohn, Neuro-Oncologist, Sydney Children's
Hospital
Dr Richard Cohn spoke about the specific long term effects of
treatment and risks for childhood brain tumour patients.
Neuropsychological Testing
Anna Mandalis, Neuropsychologist, Sydney Children's
Hospital
Anna Mandalis described the role of a clinical
neuropsychologist, when to refer for an assessment and the
cognitive areas and developmental factors considered.
Rehabilitation
Renee Pont, Occupational Therapist, Sydney Children's
Hospital
Occupational Therapist Renee Pont and Physiotherapist Johanna
Newsom spoke about the involvement of both disciplines in the care
and rehabilitation of children with brain tumours.
Renee Pont
Johanna Newsom
Re-entering School
Jean Kidd, Brain Injury Counsellor, NSW Department of
Education
Jean Kidd described the role the NSW Department of Education
plays in supporting and providing services and resources for
children with special learning needs resulting from brain
injury.
Forum evaluation
Read the Brain Forum 2010 evaluation
report
Event details and registration
More Information:
Event website
Please note: NSW Cancer Plan 2011-2015 , are evidence-based, not-for profit and are conducted by:
Professional colleges
Cancer councils
State-based, national and international cancer control organisations and agencies.
Cancer or health services
Government organisations
Academic institutions.
The Cancer Institute NSW will consider events that meet this criteria on a case-by-case basis, and will not support activities or groups that do not comply with strict evidence-based principles.
Top of page
