PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — More than 1,700 oncology professionals convened at the NCCN 2024 Annual Conference on April 5-7, hosted by The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®). This gathering, marked by a dynamic blend of clinical, administrative, and patient perspectives, aims at improving every facet of patient-centered cancer care.
One highlight of the conference was the insightful discourse offered by Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. Having attended the conference as an oncology fellow, long before joining the organization, Denlinger lauded the event for providing practical knowledge that she could implement in her own clinical practice. Magnifying the essence of the conference, Denlinger emphasized the significance of clinical practice guidelines and continuing education events as tools to democratize care and disseminate knowledge.
Among the areas discussed at the conference, the pressing issue of oncology drug shortages took center stage. Laura Bray, MBA, Founder and Chief Change Maker, Angels for Change, attributed the issue to a lack of reliability and resilience in our supply chain. Her call to action? Collective change across all links on the chain to end this crisis. Corroborating this sentiment, Erin R. Fox, PharmD, MHA, BCPS, from University of Utah Health Care, stressed the need for regulatory action, advocating for laws that mandate greater supply chain transparency for oncology drugs.
The conference also highlighted the significance of genetic testing. Drawing from her experience as a 3x cancer survivor, patient advocate Wenora Johnson stressed the importance of understanding one’s risk for hereditary cancers through genetic testing. Such understanding, she said, can influence not only preventive measures but also personalized medical decisions.
Oncology professionals attending the conference also received updates on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for a range of cancer types, from Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Localized Prostate Cancer to Cutaneous Melanoma and Pancreatic Cancer.
Remarkably, the conference placed a spotlight on the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Oncology. AI, described as a tool that allows physicians to sift through large volumes of data efficiently, has the potential to grant healthcare providers more time for patient interaction. Randa M. Perkins, MD, MBA, from Moffitt Cancer Center, recalled the pivotal role a piloted AI tool as a ‘Virtual Scribe’ played in her practice, granting her an extra hour per clinic day. Perkins, however, stressed the need for transparency and regulatory safeguards to ensure fairness and safety in the use of AI.
Further enriching the conference were 200 poster presentations featuring original research in cancer care. Attendees had the chance to join expert-led tours of the posters and listen to oral presentations for the highest-rated abstracts. The conference also offered numerous networking opportunities, such as an interactive exhibit hall, a ‘Mingle for a Mission’ event assembling garden kits for breast cancer survivors, and frequent ‘Continue the Conversation’ opportunities for informal chats.
Through immersion in such an enriching landscape of informed discussions and practical knowledge exchange, attendees of the NCCN 2024 Annual Conference stand better equipped to contribute towards improved and accessible cancer care. With an understanding of the challenges ahead and the tools necessary to overcome them, delegates left the conference ready to apply their newfound knowledge and perspective to ensure quality, effective, and equitable cancer care.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.