Key Facts:
- Swedish breast surgeon Adjunct Professor Jana de Boniface is a headline presenter at the Breast Cancer Trials' Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Brisbane, running from 29–31 July.
- Her SENOMAC clinical trial demonstrated that omitting completion axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients with limited lymph node involvement did not compromise five-year survival outcomes, whilst significantly reducing post-operative complications such as lymphoedema and impaired arm function.
- A consumer advocate, Merryn Carter, highlighted the personal impact of axillary clearance surgery, stating she suffers from lymphoedema as a result, and welcomed research that could spare future patients the same risk.
- The ASM will bring together over 400 scientists, clinicians, and advocates to discuss the latest breakthroughs in clinical trials, treatment strategies, surgery, radiotherapy, and metastatic breast cancer, with researchers also pitching new ideas during concept development sessions.
- Breast Cancer Trials is Australia and New Zealand's largest independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated solely to breast cancer clinical trials research, and the event serves a community focused on improving outcomes for the 56 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer every day.
A leading breast surgeon from Stockholm, whose research is changing the way breast cancer surgery is performed around the world, will be one of the headline presenters at the Breast Cancer Trials' Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Brisbane, which begins today.
Adjunct Professor Jana de Boniface's research through the randomised SENOMAC clinical trial showed that omitting the previously long-standing surgery method of completion axillary lymph node dissection (lymph node removal) in breast cancer patients with limited lymph node involvement did not compromise survival outcomes after five years.
"The SENOMAC trial showed that a less invasive surgical approach reduced post-operative complications, like pain, lymphoedema, and impaired arm function, significantly improving quality of life for those patients, whilst maintaining excellent survival. This individualised approach is now becoming standard of care," explained Dr Nicholas Zdenkowski, Medical Advisor at Breast Cancer Trials. "This de-escalation of treatment aligns with Breast Cancer Trials' focus on improving patients' quality of life while not comprising patient survival. We look forward to learning more about this and other topics from Adjunct Professor de Boniface at the ASM."
Merryn Carter, Chair of Breast Cancer Trials Consumer Advisory Panel, is passionate about the de-escalation of surgery where possible, and views A/P de Boniface's work as a step forward for breast cancer patients.
"I had an axillary clearance and now suffer lymphedema," she said. "I have daytime compression sleeves, a nighttime compression sleeve, and have had several episodes of cellulitis as a result of my lymphedema. It would be great if more people could be spared this risk of lymphedema in the future."
Adjunct Professor de Boniface will join over 400 leading scientists, international specialists, clinicians and advocates for the ASM, which will showcase the latest breakthroughs in clinical trials, treatment strategies, and collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for people affected by breast cancer.
To be held at the Sofitel Brisbane Central from 29th to 31st July, the extensive program will host numerous internationally renowned guest speakers, over three days of scientific sessions about early breast cancer, clinical/translational research, supportive care for breast cancer patients, surgery, radiotherapy, metastatic breast cancer, reviews of recent clinical trials and future clinical trials research.
Researchers from around Australia and New Zealand will also pitch their ideas during concept development sessions.
"As Australia and New Zealand's largest independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated solely to breast cancer clinical trials research, our event is the highlight of the calendar for the breast cancer research and care community," said Karen Price, CEO of Breast Cancer Trials. "This conference attracts leading medical practitioners, clinicians, and clinical trials management personnel from across Australia and New Zealand, all dedicated to improving the quality of life and outcomes for the 56 Australians who are diagnosed with breast cancer every day."
