Leading researchers gather for the Sydney Cancer Conference 2010

The University of Sydney will host the second Sydney Cancer Conference (SCC2010) next week from 14 to 16 July.

Under the theme Profiling risk, personalising treatment, and predicting outcomes, international and national researchers, from basic scientists to clinicians, epidemiologists and psychologists, will present their latest results.

The biennial meeting will showcase areas of strength, recent breakthroughs in cancer research and seeks to foster development of Australia's next generation of cancer researchers.

Professor Richard Christopherson, Chair of SCC2010 said the conference would feature three international keynote speakers, Professor Charles Cleeland from the University of Texas, Professor Patrick Bossuyt from the University of Amsterdam and Dr Nadia Zaffaroni from the National Cancer Institute in Milan.

"These speakers will be joined be eminent national cancer researchers, with a breadth of expertise from 'bench to bedside', promoting translational research," he said.

Program highlights

• Professor David Currow, Cancer Institute NSW: The future of cancer research in NSW
• Professor Suzanne Cory, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research: The Bcl-2 life/death switch in cancer development and therapy
• Professor Brandon Wainwright, University of Queensland: Medulloblastoma is controlled by an interaction between genetic pathways important in embryonic development
• Professor Doug Hilton, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research: Pathways regulating blood cell production
• Professor Afaf Girgis, University of Newcastle: Flourishing or flailing? The impact of cancer on survivors and their caregivers
• Professor Elizabeth Eakin, University of Queensland: Promoting physical activity in women with breast cancer
• Professor Matt Trau, University of Queensland: Biomarkers and nanotechnology - new approaches to preventative and personalised medicine
• Professor Robyn Ward, University of New South Wales: Colorectal cancer and personalised medicine - is the cart before the horse?
• Professor Bruce Armstrong, University of Sydney: PSA screening for prostate cancer - Early detection or over-detection?

"In addition to the day sessions, Professor Simon Chapman, a leading public health and tobacco control advocate and researcher, will give a public lecture from 6.30pm - 7.30pm on Wednesday 14 July to open SCC2010," Professor Christopherson said.

"This is a free lecture, and anyone interested in cancer research is encouraged to attend."

SCC2010 will be held at the Eastern Avenue Auditorium and Lecture Theatre Complex, Camperdown Campus and has been supported by Amgen, Cancer Institute NSW, Cancer Council NSW, Novartis, Merck Serono and the University of Sydney School of Public Health.

To register or for more information, visit the SCC2010 website.

Media enquiries: Rachel Gleeson, 0403 067 342, 9351 4312, rachel.gleeson@sydney.edu.au