Annual Surgical Meeting

Surgeons will meet in Albury to discuss cancer in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' (RACS) Annual Surgical Meeting.

The meeting titled 'Surgical Oncology Synergy and Cooperation' will take place from 11-12 October at the Albury Entertainment Centre, with approximately 100 Fellows, Trainees and Associates taking part in a number of compelling discussions and presentations.

RACS Victoria Chair, Ms Susan Shedda, said that the conference provided an excellent opportunity for local surgeons and those from across Victoria to discuss the many challenges of surgical oncology.

"Cancer treatments are complex and continually evolving. Early and accurate diagnoses are crucial, as is planning and communication. With so many clinicians involved in the continuum of care, it is essential that we take a multi-disciplinary approach right from the start," Ms Shedda said.

"Conferences like this are so important in promoting this type of collaboration, and they provide the perfect platform for us to come together in an engaging and interactive environment, to share our ideas, and learn from one another.

"I am particularly excited that we are holding this event in Albury. A third of Australia's population live in non-metropolitan areas and the efficient coordination of medical services is essential in regional and rural areas. Many people benefit and prefer to have the best possible medical care provided locally with certain treatment options centralised."

The event will feature a number of distinguished speakers, as well as an opening day workshop hosted by the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality focusing on 'Surgical oncology and futility- When cancer surgery goes wrong.'

Highlights of the conference include;
•The Geoffrey James Royal Memorial Lecture to be delivered by Professor Sandy Herriot, Director of Cancer Surgery at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
•An invited presentation from Associate Professor Michael Michael, principal author or co-author of over 100 peer reviewed journal articles and Co-Chair of the Neuroendocrine Unit at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
•A presentation on the complexities of cancer management in a regional area from rural surgeon, Mr Stephen Jancewiz.

Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash