The 18th Annual Conference of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) was held on November 16-18 in Amsterdam, with a theme of “Geriatric Oncology — Becoming Mainstream Cancer Care.” The SIOG Annual Conference is the world’s leading conference for health professionals involved in the treatment of older adults with cancer. SIOG promotes a multidisciplinary approach to the practice of geriatric oncology and meetings always include speakers from diverse fields. This year’s conference was attended by 523 participants, the highest attendance yet, representing 41 countries. Attendees included oncologists, researchers, clinical practitioners, geriatricians, radiologists, psychologists, nutritionists, nurses and other healthcare professionals, as well as senior cancer survivor advocates.
The Conference paid special attention to demonstrating its global commitment to the overall objective of promoting universal health coverage and sustainable development goals, envisioning a stronger health workforce for older adults with cancer. SIOG is committed to working with global partners and encourages contributions to improve the alignment of its geriatric oncology priorities with the needs and priorities of health institutions working for older adults with cancer.
This year’s conference also focused on the best ways for clinicians to apply available research and clinical information in assessing and treating older cancer patients and featured five program tracks: Solid Tumors; Hematological Malignancies; Supportive and Palliative Care; Modern Diagnostics and Therapeutics; Geriatric Assessment, Nursing & Allied Health, and Patient Care. Track leaders include MASCC members Melissa (Kah Poh) Loh, MBBCh, Martine Puts, RN, PhD, Carla Ripamonti, MD, Armin Shahrokni, MD, MPH, and Ishwaria Subbiah, MD, MS.
The conference also included a MASCC/SIOG Joint Session: “Supportive Care in Older Adults with Cancer in 2018: What Does It Look Like?” This session, chaired by Andrew Davies, MD, and Christopher Steer, MBBS, FRACP, included the following presentations:
- Early Integration of Palliative Care in Older Adults with Cancer. Andrew Davies, MD, FRCP (UK)
- What Is the Role of the Nurse in Supporting Older Adults with Cancer? Annie Young, RN, PhD (UK)
- Supportive Care Vs. Geriatric Oncology Care. What is Different, What is Common? Gilbert Zulian, MD (Switzerland)
- Do We Need a Subspecialty of Geriatric Supportive Care? Christopher Steer, MBBS, FRACP (Australia)
The 2019 SIOG Annual Meeting will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. The dates will be confirmed soon.
