45TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING AND AWARDS

The Breast Cancer Trials 45th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) attracted the largest ever attendance at an ASM, with over 390 delegates across multiple disciplines.

The three-day conference was held in Cairns, Australia, in July 2024, with the theme of International Collaboration in Clinical Trials Research. The ASM hosts a number of internationally renowned guest speakers including key Breast Cancer Trials researchers.

Our international speakers in 2024 included:

  • Professor Michael Gnant, from Austria.
  • Professor Andrew Tutt, from London.
  • Professor Elinor Sawyer, from London.
  • Dr Erica Mayer, from Boston.
  • Professor Carlos Barrios, from Brazil.
  • Dr Peter Barry, from London.
  • Dr In Hae Park, from Korea.
  • Professor Hope Rugo, from California.
  • Dr Akihiko Shimomura, from Japan.
  • Dr Tomomi Fujisawa, from Japan.

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 (T&EC) workshop for trainees in medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology. This was a free multidisciplinary weekend, 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 45th ASM:

The Gold Medal Award, the highest honour at BCT, was awarded to our former CEO, Soozy Smith.

Dr Soozy Smith receives the Gold Medal Award from Board Chair Professor Sunil Lakhani.

The Alan Coates Award for Excellence in Clinical Trials Research was awarded to the Chair of our Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP), Leslie Gilham.

Ms Leslie Gilham receives The Alan Coates Award from Professor Coates.

The Robert Sutherland Award for Excellence in Translational Research was awarded to Professor Andrew Tutt.

Professor Alan Tutt receives The Robert Sutherland Award from Mrs Cheryl Sutherland and Professor Sunil Lakhani.

The John Collins Fellow Medal and Travel Grant was awarded to Dr Christina Kozul.

Dr Christina Kozul receives The John Collins Medal from Professor Collins.

The Study Coordinator Prize was awarded to Ms Lisa Wilkinson.

Ms Lisa Wilkinson receives the Study Coordinator Prize from BCT’s Chief Operating Officer – Research, Mr Heath Badger.

The following BCT members received Education Travel Grants to attend the ASM:
Caroline MacCallum, Cathie Reich, Jennifer Lie, Kayte Robinson, Petrina Burnett, Roger Liang, Rudo Manungo, Sandy Simon, Joel Ernest and Valerie Valencia.

Recipients of the 2024 travel grants.

The Following BCT members received Grants to attend the T&EC Weekend:
Tam Bui, Harith Fernando, Lachlan Fitzpatrick, Jasmina Kevric, Tivya Kulasegaran, Michelle Li, Sofia Mason, Thi Thy Duong Pham, and Jennifer Yeh.

Trainees attending the T&EC weekend.