Foreword

Abstract

It gives The Australian Lung Foundation (Lung Foundation) great pleasure to present the following Journal of Thoracic Oncology Supplement of the 3rd Australian Lung Cancer Conference (ALCC) which was held in the magnificent city of Melbourne, Australia, at the Sofitel Hotel from 7th 9th October 2010. The Australian Lung Foundation hosts the Australian Lung Cancer Conference bi-annually and is a much anticipated event on the scientific/educational conference calendar. The 3rd ALCC 2010 attracted record registrations and was up by 35% from the last event (ALCC 2008) and has grown more than 111% from the inaugural conference in 2006, which featured IASLC past-president, Dr Frances Shepherd. ALCC 2010 also included enhanced active Pharmaceutical and Industry participation. We were honoured to have Professor Robert Thomas, Chief Clinical Advisor for Cancer, Department of Health Victoria, Australia officially open the conference. During the Opening Ceremony Professor Thomas and the delegates welcomed the arrival of two Melbourne walkers, Jarrad Archer and Sam Foote, with a standing ovation after their completing a gruelling 24-day walk from Adelaide to Melbourne in memory of their close “mate” (close friend), Matt Pusey, who sadly died from lung cancer. The conference which was themed “Emerging Evidence” focused on key issues relating to the emerging evidence and translating the evidence to practice. Session content included NSCLC, SCLC, mesothelioma, biomarkers, supportive care, and cancer control. This IASLC endorsed meeting brought together 406 delegates from a multidisciplinary background including Pulmonologists, Thoracic Surgeons, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Palliative Care, Nursing, Allied Health, Indigenous health workers, Consumers, Pharmaceutical, Industry and others. Delegates came not only from all corners of Australia, but also from New Zealand, Canada, Pakistan and Nepal, with some young Asian Pacific researchers generously sponsored by the IASLC. Five keynote international Speakers included three IASLC members (Drs David Gandara, Fred Hirsch and Masahiro Tsuboi) and for the first time two international Nurses were invited (Sally Moore UK, Michele O'Brien USA). The ALCC is fast becoming one of the outstanding conferences in the Asia-Pacific region that is focused on lung cancer, mesothelioma, and associated issues. The 3rd ALCC provided a nice balance of local and international experts, and the cap on numbers succeeded in enhancing delegate interaction, yet is large enough to report diverse original research and a comprehensive program. The Australian Lung Foundation encourages effective multidisciplinary teamwork and attracts a variety of disciplines with their considerable skills and knowledge. The outcomes of this conference will help us improve lung cancer care across Australia. The Organising Committee wishes to acknowledge the considerable ongoing support of our Sponsors & Exhibitors which helped make this event so successful. The event was the culmination of two years planning and preparation by the passionate and hardworking staff at the Lung Foundation with special thanks to Glenda Colburn, Karen Lather, and Annette Hart. Important work to improve outcomes in lung cancer lies ahead of us. Through the hard work of the Speakers and Delegates at such conferences, Australia is well placed to the efforts to help our patients.