Simply Oncology

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Part 2 of our Cancer in the elderly and assessing Frailty.
We talk to Dr Nicolò Battisti about what measures we can take to set up frailty assessment.

Great tips and advice.
Enjoy

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Not every older patient is frail and not every frail patient is old.

The incidence of cancer goes up rapidly in the older age groups with a big jump in incidence in the over 75 age group. We are treating increasing numbers of older patients with increasingly complex therapy.
This is often called a 'Silver Tsunami'.

We talk to Dr Nicolo Battisti  - A medical oncologist - who is Clinical Lead of the Senior Adult Oncology Programme at the Royal Marsden Hospital and president of SIOG - the Society of Geriatric Oncology.

We discuss the impact of frailty on cancer therapy for older patients and how to assess frailty in patients.

This is part 1 of 2 of an excellent session!!

Enjoy

Mike & John

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Part 2 of 2 of our managing stress when delivering cancer care theme.
Here we talk again to the excellent Dr Mike Osborn. We discuss what we can do to help actively recognise and manage some of the impact of stress and emotional fatigue.
‘What advice would a friend give you about how you are managing stress?’.

We need to take care of ourselves as we take care of others.
Enjoy!!!
John & Mike

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“Just because you make it look easy doesn't mean it is easy for you.”
Stress, burnout, resilience and emotional fatigue. These are phrases that have become part of NHS life.
In this episode we discuss the impact of this with psychologist Dr Mike Osborn for Royal United Bath Hopsital.
We talk about telltale signs and the impact this can have on ourselves and patients.

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In this episode we speak to Dr Karin Purshouse, current Chair of the National Oncology Trainee Collaborative for Healthcare Research. 
We hear about the origins of the organisation and how it has expanded since 2019, with registrar representation in all regions in the UK.
NOTCH excels in running national multicentre retrospective cohort studies, generating real world evidence with international impact. The value is particularly evident in rare/difficult to study tumour sites/patient groups or where randomised control data is unlikely to ever be generated.
Participation offers trainees tangible experience in research as well as invaluable networking opportunities with like-minded, research active registrars and consultants around the country. 
NOTCH are currently looking for interested trainees to join the Board, no prior experience is necessary.
Project proposal submissions are welcome through out the year, expressions of interest are also encouraged as the NOTCH team has a wealth of experience in helping set up and run successful multicentre projects. 
Visit www.uknotch.com for more information and to join the mailing list. 

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Back again with our 2nd episode looking into the dreaded FRCR part 2B exam.

We have our 2 examiners - Dr Paul Hatfield (lead examiner) and Dr Alison Stillie (senior examiner) giving out more pearls of wisdom about how to prepare and how to approach the part 2B exam.

We also discuss what advice consultants and supervisors should be giving candidates and what the benefits of being an examiner are.

This is a must listen episode for any clinical oncology SpR or supervising consultant.

"Make every day at work a learning day" when preparing for the exam.

We wish everyone involved in the the exam good luck and hope there are some pieces of info in the episode that can help.

Good luck

John & Mike

Please see below a link to info from the RCR about how to prepare for the exam.
https://www.rcr.ac.uk/exams-training/rcr-exams/clinical-oncology-exams/frcr-part-2b-oncology-co2b/frcr-part-2b-oncology-co2b-advice-for-candidates/

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Calling all oncology SpRs and their trainers!!
The FRCR part 2 exam is a rite of passage every clinical oncology trainee in the UK has to complete to become a consultant.

We talk to Dr Paul Hatfield (lead examiner) and Dr Alison Stillie (senior examiner) and find out what they want to hear during the exam.

We also hear about how to prepare and what to expect on the day.
We find out how much work the examiners do to make the exam fair and balanced.

If you are going to sit the FRCR part 2 exam at some stage or your are involved in teaching or supervising oncology SpRs the this episode is a must!!!

We hope you enjoy

John & Mike

Please check out the info provided by the RCR in the link below.

https://www.rcr.ac.uk/exams-training/rcr-exams/clinical-oncology-exams/frcr-part-2b-oncology-co2b/frcr-part-2b-oncology-co2b-advice-for-candidates/ 

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In this episode we look at the KEYNOTE A-18 trial in cervical cancer with Dr Gemma Eminowicz. 

This trial was presented by Dr Domenica Lorusso at ESMO 2023 and published in The Lancet in March 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00317-9

This trial took a high-risk group of patients receiving chemoradiation for cervical cancer and they were randomised to placebo vs 2 years of pembrolizumab.

The 2 year follow up results showed progression free survival benefit of 11%  in favour of 2 years of pembrolizumab (68% vs 57 %) with a Hazard Ratio of 0.7. 

Now we have 2 major trials (KEYNOTE A-18 and INTERLACE) in this chemoradiation space for cervical cancer we look at the similarities and differences between the trials.

Where does this point to our new standard of care in cervical cancer?

We hope you enjoy

John & Mike


(ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/KEYNOTE-A18)

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In the Clinic episode aimed at doctors and nurses with an interest in cancer care. We discuss the INTERLACE trial in cervical cancer.

The INTERLACE trial led by Dr Mary McCormack was presented in ESMO 2023 and looks to shape oncological treatment of cervical cancer in the locally advanced setting.

We talk to Dr Gemma Eminowicz who has worked with Dr Mary McCormack over the last 10 years on the INTERLACE trial.

We discuss the 8% overall survival gain at 5 years from the addition of an extra 6 weeks of chemotherapy in INTERLACE . 

We also tackle some of the apparent issues around INTERLACE.

Gemma has delivered a real tour de force on the INTERLACE trial and the background of cervical cancer treatment.

We hope you enjoy.

John & Mike

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Clinical nurse specialists (often called a CNS) are a key member of every cancer patient's care. They are often the person co-ordinating where patients are in their treatment pathway and help patients and families better understand their treatment and care.
Today we talk to Debbie Victor who has over 15 years experience as a clinical nurse specialist.
She talks us through the role of the clinical nurse specialist and when and how patients should get in touch.
"there is no such thing as a stupid question especially if it is weighing on your mind".

We salute the CNSs and hope you see how valuable they are with this episode.

Enjoy 

John & Mike