Glimpse of the Future at BreastScreen Australia Conference
The issues likely to impact breast screening operations into the future are the focus of BreastScreen Australia’s Key to the Future 2014 annual conference being held this week in Melbourne.
“This year’s conference will explore some of the really exciting emerging technologies, research frontiers and new clinical practice in breast cancer screening,” said Conference Committee Chair and BreastScreen Victoria CEO, Vicki Pridmore.
“We need to better understand how developments in genetic testing, x-ray technology, best clinical practice, recruitment research and consumer support could improve the effectiveness of what we do at BreastScreen, improve the service experience for women, and at what cost,” she said.
I am delighted to host a conference with such a quality line up of local and overseas speakers and to welcome consumers, health advocates, researchers and staff from the BreastScreen Australia network nationally.
Highlights of the conference include:
What role for genetic testing?
Keynote speaker Professor Evans is a UK researcher with an international reputation in clinical and research aspects of cancer genetics, particularly in neurofibromatosis and breast cancer. He will explain his cutting-edge research and the future possibilities for genetic testing in breast cancer screening.
When: Friday 17 October 9.30-10.30am
New Australian findings on 3D mammography
The first Australian trial of 3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, in breast cancer assessment has produced highly promising findings. Dr Darren Lockie will discuss the trial and the technology’s potential benefits for consumers, radiographers and the health system.
When: Friday 17 October 11.00-11.30am
Why don’t women come back?
An expert panel from the commercial, not for profit and government sectors will lead a debate on the reasons women ‘fail to buy’ and return for second or subsequent mammograms, a chronic issue of declining returns for the recruitment investment.
The panel will be facilitated by Jean Kittson and includes Communications Strategist Carolyn Miller, PwC Australia’s Jon Williams, University of Sydney Associate Professor Kirsten McCaffery and Australian Red Cross Blood Service National Marketing Director Alyson Pierce.
When: Saturday 18 October 2.30-3.30pm
The consumer journey
A diagnosis of breast cancer comes as a shock. Women need access to good quality information that helps them make decisions about their treatment. Maxine Morand, CEO of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and a former Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Minister for Women’s Affairs, will talk about a highly impactful trial of the My Journey Kit.
When: Saturday 18 October 12.30-1.00pm
Closing the gap
A successful trial undertaken to recruit more first time and return screeners from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be unveiled by Michelle Tornabene from Queensland Health. It has future implications for targeting this and other demographics with special information and access needs.
When: Friday 18 October 2.20-3.00pm
The Conference runs on 17-18 October and is being held at Hilton on the Park.