Consumer Perspective: Prostate Cancer
Paul Wagner was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 at the age of 55 after obtaining a second opinion.
The Prostate Cancer 2016 Summit provided an opportunity for clinicians from various disciplines to prioritise state-wide actions, that could reduce variations in practice and improve cancer outcomes for men with prostate cancer in Victoria. This was the fourth in a series of tumour specific summits designed to engage clinicians and shape the state cancer reform agenda.
What happened at the Summit? Seventy-one delegates participated in the event including, clinicians and representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Cancer Council Victoria (CCV), Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Movember Foundation, Victorian Primary Health Care Networks, Victorian Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry (PCOR) and Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS).
Professor Robert Thomas, Chief Advisor on Cancer (DHHS), opened the event and introduced the ‘Optimal care pathway for men with prostate cancer’. Prof. Thomas highlighted the role of collaboration in addressing variations in cancer care for men with prostate cancer. Prof. Damien Bolton, Co-Chair of the Prostate Summit Working Party, set the scene and outlined the purpose of the day. He encouraged clinicians to use this opportunity to identify a few practical and achievable priority actions that could have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
Prostate Cancer 2016 Clinical Working Party
Prof Jeremy Millar (Co-chair)
Prof Damien Bolton (Co-chair)
A/Prof Paul Mitchell
A/Prof Declan Murphy
A/Prof Justin Tse
Prof Ian Davis
A/Prof Sue Evans
Dr Keen-Hun Tai
Dr David Pook
Mr Mark Frydenberg
Mr Paul Kearns
Mr Rohan Hall
Mr Nathan Lawrentschuk
Dr Mahesh Iddawela
Mr Lachlan Dodds
A/Prof Jeremy Millar, Co-Chair of the Prostate Summit Working Party, presented data on incidence, survival, disease characteristics and treatment planning of men with prostate cancer across Victoria.
The data was collated using the linked Victorian Cancer Registry and hospital data set (Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Data Set and Victorian Admitted Episode Data set), DHHS Cancer Performance Indicator Audit, and PCOR. The presentation highlighted eight key areas of variations in practice and outcomes. Following the data presentation delegates engaged in small group discussions to identify state or local opportunities for action.