Top Breast Cancer Experts Share Knowledge In NZ

22nd August 2005

World’s Top Breast Cancer Experts Share Knowledge In NZ

Some of the world’s most eminent breast cancer experts will share their knowledge and experiences with New Zealanders for the first time in Auckland this November.

A group of acclaimed breast cancer specialists from England, Scotland, America, Australia and New Zealand will take part in the 2nd National Conference on Diseases of the Breast at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre from 3-4th November 2005.

The conference, which is being organised by the Auckland Breast Cancer Study Group, will be convened by clinical associate professor of radiology at Middlemore Hospital, Dr Anthony Doyle, and Dr Chellarej Benjamin, clinical director of radiation oncology at Auckland Hospital. Dr Benjamin is also chairman of the Breast Cancer Study Group.

Dr Doyle, who introduced image guided core needle biopsy of the breast to New Zealand practice and assisted in establishing the South Auckland Breast Clinic, says the overall theme of the forthcoming conference is the global approach to breast disease.

“We have speakers from several countries coming to New Zealand and we wish to emphasise the similarities and differences in the management of breast disease around the world. The speakers are some of the best in the world in their respective fields and it will certainly be the first time that a group of experts in breast disease of this calibre have gathered together in New Zealand.” More than 300 radiologists, surgeons, nurses, radiographers, pathologists, oncologists and breast physicians from around the country are expected to attend the conference focused on the biggest killer of New Zealand women – breast cancer.

Among the conference keynote speakers is Stewart Dunn, professor of medical psychology at the University of Sydney Northern Clinical School at Royal North Shore Hospital. Dunn’s primary focus is the psychology of cancer and developing simulations of difficult cancer communication situations for doctors and nurses, using professional actors. Also addressing the conference is Dr John Robertson, professor of surgery at the University of Nottingham and editor-in-chief of Breast Cancer Online, and Kathryn Halliday who has worked as a breast screening radiographer in Scotland for over 20 years.

Tasmanian based Dr Stan Gauden will share his experiences as radiation oncologist and director of the WP Holman Clinic in Launceston while Stephen Duffy, professor of cancer screening at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, will address the global picture.

Interventional American radiologist, Dr Steve Parker, who is well known in the field of breast diagnosis and a pioneer in the development and study of minimally invasive breast biopsy, is also addressing the conference. A former US Army physician, Dr Parker headed the radiology and diagnostic services at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado and did duty as chief of radiology in Stuttgart, Germany. He helped pioneer several breast biopsy techniques including those introduced to New Zealand by Dr Doyle.

The principal sponsor of the conference is Astra Zeneca while Breast Screen Aotearoa and The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation are supporting sponsors. Other sponsors include Roche, the Ted and Mollie Car Fund, Diagnostic Medlab, Novartis, Nucletron, Bristal Myers Squibb, Device Technologies, Mercy Radiology and NZIMRT.

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is also sponsoring a free public forum at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre the day after the conference. The half-day event takes place on Saturday 5th November and is open to anyone with an interest in breast cancer. Four of the major speakers will address the forum in ‘layman’s terms’ along with Madeline Wall from Breast Screen Aotearoa.

ENDS

© Scoop Media