The Hormones and Cancer 2000 Meeting was held in the spectacular setting of Port Douglas on the North Queensland Coast, Australia, 3-8 November. The meeting comprised three plenary lectures and 11 sessions, two of which were conjoint with the International Aromatase Meeting being held at the same time. In addition to the oral presentations, 50 posters were presented over two lunchtime sessions. There were about 80 registrants for a meeting that was possibly one of the most laid back that I have ever attended, and where even the speakers wore the uniform of shorts, T-shirts, thongs and umbrella required by the rainy season of tropical North Queensland. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, or possibly because of it, the presentations and following discussions were of an extremely high standard. This was also the only meeting that I have ever attended that had a session devoted to a horse race! Yes, we joined the rest of Australia in watching the Melbourne Cup, which, for those who are interested, was won by Brew with novice jockey Kerrin McEvoy on board. Returning to the science, the meeting focused on recent advances in breast and prostate cancer, with particular emphasis on the role of steroids and steroid receptors in the progression, treatment and prevention of tumours. The speakers and their audience consequently encompassed all disciplines, both scientific and clinical.