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Experts to discuss future health of cancer survivors

International cancer experts are gathering in Sheffield this week (3-4 March 2010) to discuss the long-term health problems of people who have been treated for cancer.

As many more people are surviving cancer, their long-term health and consequences of the treatments they received are becoming increasingly more important. The Late Effects in Cancer Survivors conference, which is being hosted by the University of Sheffield and sponsored by Amgen, Roche and Novartis Oncology, will address the potential side-effects of current cancer treatments.

A recent study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, warned that radiotherapy, while potentially life-saving, appeared to increase the risks of developing health problems in later years. The study came as leading cancer charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, claimed that whilst we should be celebrating the increase in cancer survivor rates, we must not neglect the long-term health problems that patients are then faced with.

The conference, which is being held at the Cutler’s Hall, will bring together experts from across the globe, including Professor Jane Maher, the Chief Medical Officer for Macmillan Cancer Support and Professor Sir Mike Richards, the National Director of Cancer for the Department of Health.

Nicholas Owen, a BBC news reporter and cancer survivor, will also be attending to host a Dragons’ Den style session where researchers in this area will pitch ideas to four dragons who will then assess the proposals and offer constructive advice for taking them forward.

The conference will also address pelvic late effects, infertility after cancer, bone health after cancer, and cardiovascular complications of radiotherapy. The meeting will close with a staged masterclass, where the case of a patient with complex clinical needs as a consequence of their cancer treatment will be presented and a panel of late effects experts will emulate a multi-disciplinary team to look at their approach to this scenario.

Professor Rob Coleman, Head of Clinical Oncology at the University of Sheffield, said: “Prevention, early identification and appropriate management of treatment induced complications are all essential components of follow-up after cancer treatment to ensure the ongoing health of the rapidly rising numbers of cancer survivors. The meeting will focus on practical advice for clinical care, as well as promoting the development of new research ideas. We are delighted to have attracted such a distinguished faculty to the 3rd Late Effects Conference in Sheffield for what promises to be an excellent meeting.”