NBOCC News - December 2010

In this issue...

Breakthrough in feasibility of breast cancer staging for population-based cancer registries

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) is pleased to announce the release of the Breast cancer staging and treatment report.

Population cancer registries in Australia have well developed cancer notification systems that include pathology reports for cancer and notifications from hospitals. This information is consolidated to enable registries to publish population-wide cancer incidence, prevalence, mortality and survival rates. No information on cancer stage at diagnosis is currently available.

During 2009-10, NBOCC undertook a project with the Victorian Cancer Registry to develop and test the collection of Tumour, Node and Metastases (TNM) stage information, the gold standard for staging breast cancer. NBOCC’s work with Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) has resulted in a groundbreaking report which shows that deriving TNM stage data from routinely captured cancer notifications is very achievable, with the VCR able to TNM stage 96% of eligible breast cancer incidence cases in 2006 and 2007.

The successful development and testing of a methodology for collecting TNM stage information for breast cancer by population-based cancer registries is a key breakthrough to support future cancer control initiatives. For example, the project has identified a reliable mechanism to enable TNM stage linkages to other datasets, such as treatment information that will allow analysis of patterns of care by cancer stage.

For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (ph. 02 9357 9437).

Seeking nurses to participate in psychosocial care study

psyc-adults-with-cancer Implementation of NBOCC’s best practice recommendations for psychosocial care are being assessed by The University of Sydney’s School of Psychology, who are
inviting cancer nurses across Australia to complete an online survey which aims to explore psychosocial care for adults with cancer in Australia.

The research will examine current practice and how it differs from the optimal practice recommended in NBOCC’s Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer.

It is anticipated that participation in the study will provide greater understanding of the Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer,
which recognise the practical, emotional, psychological and social support needed throughout a person’s cancer journey.

If you are a cancer nurse and would like to participate in the study, please click here.

If you would like to know more about the study, please phone Dr Catalina Lawsin or Kirsty McMillan on (02) 9114 0590.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre at COSA

NBOCC was well represented at the successful Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) Annual Scientific Meeting held in Melbourne in November.

NBOCC presented on three key projects to improve outcomes for Australians diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer, including:

Multidisciplinary care: lessons learnt presented by Dr Helen Zorbas, Chief Executive Officer
New models of shared care presented by A/Prof Christine Giles, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Delivering evidence-based breast cancer education to health professionals in rural Australia utilising innovative interactive technology presented by Ms Kevin Comlossy, Senior Project Officer, Supporting Rural Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Program. Congratulations to Kevin who won the ‘Best of Best – Oral Educational and Professional’award for this presentation.

Queensland Institute of Medical Research also presented on a joint project with NBOCC; Reducing time to diagnosis does not improve outcomes for women with symptomatic ovarian cancer.

Additionally NBOCC showcased four posters:

Shared follow-up care for early breast cancer – a new model of care
Best practice models of post-surgical breast cancer care
Breast cancer- knowledge and skills to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
Discussing the transition to palliative care

For more information on NBOCC projects, including those presented at COSA, visit the NBOCC website.

Annual Report 2009-10

NBOCC’s Annual Report 2009-10 is now available, showcasing NBOCC’s achievements in breast and ovarian cancer control including raising community awareness about the diseases, informing and supporting consumers, guiding clinical best practice, enhancing health service delivery, strengthening data capacity and informing cancer control policy.

2010 also marked 15 years since the establishment of NBOCC, which was celebrated with a reception hosted by Australia’s Governor General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC.

NBOCC’s Annual Report 2009-10 can be downloaded, or ordered by telephone: 1800 624 973.

Season’s greetings from NBOCC

The Board and staff of NBOCC extend our thanks for your support in 2010 and wish you all the best for the Festive Season. Click here to view NBOCC’s Season’s Greetings e-card.

The NBOCC office will close on Friday, 24 December and re-open on Tuesday, 4 January 2011.

We look forward to working with you to continue to improve outcomes for Australians diagnosed with cancer in 2011 as we enter a new and exciting phase in national cancer control through the proposed amalgamation of NBOCC and Cancer Australia.

Cancer Australia