44th Annual Scientific Meeting and Awards

The Breast Cancer Trials 44th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) attracted the largest ever attendance at an ASM, with over 360 delegates across multiple disciplines.

The three-day conference was held in Auckland, New Zealand, in July 2023 and the theme was ‘Equity in Trials and Trial Participation’. The ASM hosts a number of internationally renowned guest speakers including key Breast Cancer Trials researchers. Our international speakers were:

• Professor Sibylle Loibl from Germany.
• Professor Philip Poortmans from Belgium.
• Professor Alastair Thompson from the United States of America.

The full and extensive program included two days of scientific sessions covering timely reviews of breast cancer clinical trials research, a trials coordination forum for study coordinators from participating sites, a concept development workshop, abstract presentations, symposiums, and debates among leading breast cancer researchers.

Another component of the ASM is our trainee and early career workshop for trainees in medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology. This was a free multidisciplinary (MDT) session, with both presentations and MDT panel discussions from leading Australian and international breast cancer experts.

Breast Cancer Trials Awards

The following awards were announced at the 44th ASM:

• Professor Boon Chua received the Alan Coates Award for Excellence in Clinical Trials Research.
• Professor Wayne Tilley received the Robert Sutherland Award for Excellence in Translational Research.
• Dr Adam Ofri received the John Collins Fellow Medal and Travel Grant.
• Ms Julia Hoffman received the Study Coordinator Prize.

The following BCT members received Education Travel Grants to attend the ASM: Brigitte Ross, Bronwyn Crawford, Jasmine Hee, Joel Ernest, Joshua Ting, Judi Clarke, Katrina Baldwin, Mandy McPhee, Megan Raimondo, Rosmary Cotton and Sarah Corfe.