People living with lung cancer experience a high level of unmet needs, high levels of psychological stress, and a poor quality of life. Additionally, they tend to underutilise hospital and community support services. This situation makes access to a lung cancer nurse imperative. A dedicated nurse can provide essential support and care, improving the well-being of patients with lung cancer. Nurses have many roles and responsibilities and in this TOGA podcast we want to raise awareness of the...

Radiation therapy can be a very effective treatment for lung cancers, with 77% of patients indicating for radiation therapy in their disease trajectory. Yet, only 40% of patients with lung cancer in NSW receive radiation therapy. In this podcast, Professor Shalini Vinod, Assoc Professor Mei-Ling Yap, and Dr Clare Bajraszewski discuss why radiation therapy is underutilised in lung cancer, what this means for patients, and potential solutions to address this.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming medicine. Lung Cancer healthcare professionals are interested in the use of AI in radiology, particularly in early diagnosis leading to better patient outcomes. In this podcast we will explore how AI can aid in early detection, accurate interpretation of imaging scans and reduce diagnostic errors. This episode is joined by Associate Professor Michael Franco, a dual trained in medical oncology and palliative care and also the digital health director...

In this TOGA Podcast the speakers discuss Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) – An Emerging Treatment Platform in Lung Cancer. The discussion explores the different molecules and mechanisms of drugs currently available, trial results and the subsequent place of ADCs in the Lung Cancer. Furthermore, our guests expand upon the management of patients receiving these drugs. A/Prof Melissa Moore, Medical Oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, is joined in this conversation by fellow...

This TOGA Podcast discusses Lung cancer Screening and Moving from Concept to Roll Out. The conversation explores the International Lung Cancer Screening Trial and overseas experience of recruitment, the challenges of reaching different population groups, some of whom stand to benefit most from the LCSP, and what it will mean for healthcare workload. The discussion explores the role of Federal and State jurisdictions in the management of the program. A/Prof Emily Stone, Head of Thoracic...

This TOGA Podcast discusses strategies for enhancing patients’ recovery from lung cancer resection in light of new and emerging data for new peri-operative therapies that improve survival. The conversation explores the guidelines available, the changing landscape for the patient with neoadjuvant and adjuvant management options, and the multidisciplinary considerations to optimise the care of patients. Dr Jazmin Eckhaus, a thoracic surgeon from The Austin, Melbourne, is joined by A/Prof...

This TOGA Podcast discusses the data surrounding air pollution and lung cancer. The discussion delves into Nature and nurture and lung cancer risk and implications for future screening. Associate Professor Tom John, Medical Oncologist from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, is joined by Professor Charles Swanton, The Group Leader at the Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory at the London Research Institute and Medical Oncologist from University College in London, Associate Professor Venessa Chin, a...

In this TOGA Podcast, we discuss what defines operability in locally advanced stage III NSCLC. A/Professor Tim Clay, Medical Oncologist from St John of God Subiaco and Rockingham General is joined by Professor Lucy Morgan, Board Chair of the Lung Foundation of Australia and Respiratory Physician from Concord & Nepean Hospitals; A/Professor Phillip Antippa, Cardiothoracic surgeon and the Head of Thoracic Surgical Services at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the VCCC and also Dr Qurrat van...

In this TOGA Podcast, Australian medical oncologist, Associate Professor Chee Lee, St George Hospital, Kogarah, is joined by medical oncologist Dr Tristan Barnes, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and Dr Alex Davis, PhD candidate and medical oncologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney. They discuss treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with KRAS mutations, the role of co-mutations, and biomarkers that are negative predictors of response. Furthermore, the speakers give an...

In this TOGA Podcast, Australian medical oncologist Dr Jenny Lee at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, is joined by medical oncologist Professor Nick Pavlakis, from Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney and Lisa Briggs, Stage IV lung cancer survivor, Author, Osteopath and Exercise Physiologist who provides her own personal experience after being diagnosed with ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer in 2014. They discuss treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with ALK mutations, the...

In this TOGA Podcast, and on International Women’s Day 2023, we celebrate female leadership in medical research. We explore the challenges and success pathways across different career stages for women who work in medical oncology and clinical research. Associate Professor Prunella Blinman, head of the medical oncology department at Concord Hospital and past chair of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, is joined by Assistant Professor Narjust Florez, Associate Director of the Cancer Care...

Recent studies in NSCLC patients with ALK or EGFR mutations and brain metastases, demonstrated greater benefit from the use of specific targeted therapies. In this Podcast, Associate Professor Paul Mitchell, Medical Oncologist from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, is joined by Dr Fiona Hegi-Johnson, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria, and Dr Dasantha Jayamanne, Radiation Oncologist, Genesis Care and Royal Northshore Hospital in NSW to discuss the management...

In this Podcast, Dr Malinda Itchins, Medical Oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital, Co-Chair of the Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Group for TOGA and the Lung Cancer Chair of COSA, is joined by Professor Stephen Fox, Director of Pathology and Head of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne Victoria and Professor Michael Millward, Medical Oncologist and Cancer Council Professor of Clinical Cancer Research School of Medicine, University of...

In the latest TOGA Podcast, Gavin Wright discusses Lung Cancer Screening and its impact on patient care in Australia, accessibility and practicalities of the MSAC recommendation for the lung cancer screening program. He is joined by A/Prof Emily Stone, Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Lung Transplantation, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney and A/Prof Nicole Rankin, Head, Evaluation and Implementation Science Unit Melbourne University and Ms Paula Nelson Thoracic Liaison Nurse/Lung Cancer Nurse at the...

Associate Professor Shankar Siva, Radiation Oncologist and current Cancer Council Victoria Colebatch Fellow who leads the SABR program at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre discusses The Management of Stage III NSCLC in this podcast. Shankar is joined by Associate Professor Rachel Wong, Deputy Director of Oncology - Eastern Health, Adjunct Clinical Assoc Professor - Monash University and Clinical Research Fellow – WEHI and also Professor Drew Moghanaki, Chief of Thoracic Oncology, Department of...

Dr Melissa Moore Medical Oncologist from St Vincent’s Melbourne and the TOGA Education Chair, is joined by Dr Katharine See, Director and Head of the Respiratory Medicine at the Northern Hospital, Melbourne and Mr Naveed Alam, Thoracic surgeon from St Vincent’s and Epworth, Melbourne to discuss early NSCLC management and treatment and review the findings and implications for NSCLC patients. Thank you to Roche for collaborating on this podcast.

For lung cancer patients, the benefits of treatment and potential for cure must always be balanced with risk. Cardiotoxicity is considered a short and long term risk from treatment for lung cancer, but this varies between patients. New radiotherapy techniques, lower doses of radiotherapy and supporting cardiovascular treatments can minimise the risk of cardiotoxicity. Monitoring for cardiac complications is becoming an important aspect of survivorship care, and may require collaboration...

Join us for the latest TOGA podcast about Accelerating Progress in Oncogene-driven Lung Cancer, Deme , Wanda and Chris discuss the advances in oncogene-driven lung cancer and what this means for trial design, patients and treatment practices in Australia. We examine the survival data for the common and not so common mutated lung cancers, as well as the future view.

In this TOGA podcast, we explore access to molecular diagnostics and treatments across ANZ: the past, present, future. Chaired by Professor Nick Pavlakis: Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital, Genesis Care and Chair of Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia ; joined by Dr Laird Cameron: Medical Oncologist Auckland Hospital and Canopy Cancer Care and TOGA Scientific Committee New Zealand representative and Dr Renuka Chittajallu, Medical Oncologist Riverina Cancer Care Centre,...

In this TOGA Podcast, we discuss smoking cessation in the face of smoking-related stigma and nihilism. Dr Henry Marshall, Professor Christine Paul and Dr. Matt Steliga provide practical advice on how to start the conversations using variations on the “Ask, Advise, Help” model and emphasising brief advice and referral that can be conducted by any healthcare professional.

Craig, Sabe and Alexandra discuss how TeleTrials bring new therapies to patients sooner. New frameworks are increasing clinical trial participation and co ordination between trial and satellite centres is improving. Imaging, blood tests and examinations can be done at a local level, without extensive travel that was deemed necessary in the past.

EGFR mutations are identified in approximately 15% of NSCLC patients. Efficacious, PBS-reimbursed first line treatments are available, but resistance to treatment and progression remains a concern. In this podcast, options for treatment post-progression are discussed, including accessible treatment and sequencing options and the role of patient preferences and clinical trials.

In this episode, Respiratory Physicians Emily Stone, Fraser Brims, and Rob Stirling discuss the need for funding for a national quality registry for lung cancer patients. In addition, they explore the vision of what a clinical quality process should look like for lung cancer regarding mortality reduction strategies and the real-world impact of new treatment/management strategies for lung cancer patients.

In this episode, Mal Itchins, Medical Oncologist discusses ALK therapy choices & considerations when treating ALK NSCLC. Mal is joined by Steven Kao, Medical Oncologist from the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Lisa Briggs who has her own personal experience with ALK lung cancer having been diagnosed in 2014, when only limited treatment options were available.