2020    With the rapidly changing and evolving practice in managing COVID-19, MASCC is honored to begin a series of articles sharing our members’ professional experiences during the current crisis.  This month, we feature Sameena Bilgi, MA, Head of Patient Guidance Program, from the Gunvati Jagan Nath Kapoor Foundation in Mumbai, India.  The foundation provides guidance and psychosocial services to patients in Mumbai-Maharashtra and Amritsar-Punjab.

2020    As I write these words, there are 3 million cases of COVID-19 infections around the world and every MASCC member has been directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic.  Labs have closed, elective surgical lists were stopped, and work from home began as did home schooling of small children. Cancer work never really stops, not even in the time of the pandemic.  That work evolves rapidly and the pandemic has presented us, the cancer clinicians and researchers, with urgent and significant challenges.  And with many questions: “How do we deliver care safely?” “Whose treatment is no longer safe?” “What research can continue and how?”

2020    As mentioned in the April newsletter, COVID-19 presented challenges to deliver the MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting safely, with the only responsible course of action to postpone to June 24-26, 2021 in the same location - Seville, Spain. We have asked members who planned to attend to please change or cancel any travel or hotel arrangements you have made independently. If you have not done so, please remember to do so as soon as possible as most airlines are currently waiving change fees and providing a full credit for tickets that normally do not allow changes.

2020    In the April issue of the Society News, MASCC President Raj Lalla discusses fear and heroism in the wake of the global pandemic. We also want to express gratitude to our members for your continued support and hope for health and safety for you and your families during this very difficult time across the globe. MASCC has postponed our 2020 conference to 2021.  For new dates and details see below. MASCC is pleased to announce that the Gustave Roussy Institute in Paris, France has been recognized as a MASCC Center of Excellence in Supportive Care in Cancer. We extend a warm welcome to all the new members who joined us in February.

2020    MASCC has recently become a member of the European CanCer Organisation (ECCO). We are looking for members to volunteer to be part of the MASCC-ECCO working group to represent supportive cancer care. ECCO, based in Europe, is a not-for-profit federation of member organizations working to reduce the burden of cancer and improve outcomes and the quality of care for cancer patients. The organization weighs in on European Union policy, advocates for positive change, and serves as a united voice for the European cancer community.

2020    To aid our members during this difficult and uncertain time, MASCC is sharing links to COVID-19 related information, including management of oncology patients.  Our website will be updated as new resources are released or shared with us.   The resources listed are intended to guide members to information most useful to them.  Categories include: groups with an oncology focus, general information for healthcare professionals, and scientific journals.  Members are encouraged to share relevant links. Send suggestions to Angela Perez at [email protected].

2020    MASCC is proud to announce that the Gustave Roussy Institute in Paris, France has been recognized as a MASCC-Designated Center of Excellence in Supportive Care in Cancer. Gustave Roussy is a European Cancer Center for patient care, research and teaching, and treatment for all types of cancer. The certification program recognizes oncology centers that demonstrate best practices in supportive cancer care. MASCC’s certification program aims both to educate and to encourage a supportive care focus among oncology healthcare professionals. The certification will be presented at the 2021 MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting. The application was organized by MASCC Board Member, Florian Scotté, MD, PhD, who heads the Interdisciplinary Cancer Course Department at the Gustave Roussy Cancer Center.

2020    With the rapidly changing and evolving practice in managing COVID-19, MASCC would like to share information on our members’ professional experiences amongst our community. If you are interested and able to share your professional experiences, advice and advancements during this time of international crisis, we will find a convenient time in your schedule for a brief 30-minute interview. Please contact Angela Perez today at [email protected].

2020    POSTPONED: MASCC/ISOO 2020 Annual Meeting in Seville, Spain
The 2020 MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting is postponed to 24-26 June 2021 in the same location - Seville, Spain.
This postponement is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly worsened since our last communication. It takes into account the health and safety of attendees, as well as the border closures and travel restrictions that are currently in place. The decision is based on consultation between the MASCC Executive Committee, the MASCC Board, ISOO, and our conference organizers MCI.

2020    In the March issue of the Society News we continue sharing exciting details and news about the upcoming MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting in Seville, Spain in June. I especially want to note that researchers can still submit for oral presentations at the conference – the Late-Breaking Abstract Submission Period deadline is March 26.  MASCC President Rajesh Lalla, DDS, PhD, discusses the growth in MASCC membership and our exciting new membership incentive programs. Also, remember the DSA nominations deadline is April 1. We extend a warm welcome to new members who joined us in January. We’ve also included several conference reminders and deadlines.

2020    Your Vote. Your Voice. Your Association
As a MASCC member, you have an important voice in choosing the association’s leadership. Be sure to vote this year and make your voice heard!  MASCC is guided by a member-elected Board of Directors that represents you when making decisions. Being a member of the Board is an important and highly responsible position and directors devote considerable time to MASCC’s role in expanding supportive cancer care globally. If you have not received an email from MASCC.org <[email protected]> with information and instructions on this year’s voting ballot, please contact Beth Hollen.  The deadline to vote is March 12, 2020.  The 2020-2022 Board will be announced in the April Society newsletter.  

MASCC invites nurses in supportive cancer care to take advantage of a new initiative, the Year of the Nurse Membership Discount Program. MASCC is offering a 50% discount on membership dues to all nurses, both renewing members and nurses who become new members in 2020. This year-long program honors the World Health Organization’s (WHO) designation of 2020 as ‘Year of the Nurse and Midwife’ in honor of Florence Nightingale, born 200 years ago and considered the founder of modern nursing.

MASCC is proud to announce that the Levine Cancer Institute’s Department of Supportive Oncology at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC has been recognized as a MASCC-Designated Center of Excellence in Supportive Care in Cancer. This Department is chaired by MASCC Board Member Declan Walsh, MD, MSc, FACP, FRCP (Ed). The certification program recognizes oncology centers that demonstrate best practices in supportive cancer care. The Levine Center Institute’s certification will be presented to the Levine Cancer Institute at this year’s MASCC/ISOO 2020 Annual Meeting being held in Seville, Spain.

This year MASCC celebrates our 30th anniversary at the President’s Dinner held during the annual meeting in Seville, Spain.  We will look back on 30 years of innovative research and education on supportive cancer care.  The dinner will be celebrated in true Sevillian style at the exquisite Villa Luisa in a magnificent glass pavilion, offering breath-taking views of gardens, historic fountains and pergolas. We look forward to continuing to engage our members as we continue to build on MASCC’s strong foundation over the next 30 years! For more information on the President’s Dinner, click here.

2020    The MASCC/ISOO 2020 Annual Meeting focuses on three themes of critical importance in supportive cancer care: models of supportive care, cardio-oncology, and bioethics. There will also be sessions featuring digital health, palliative care, and cancer survivorship, as well as sessions reflecting the interests of MASCC/ISOO Study Groups.

There is still time to submit your research for the MASCC/ISOO 2020 Annual Meeting in Seville, Spain. The late-breaking abstract submission allows submission of recent research results which may not have been ready for presentation at the regular submission deadline or would be findings that complete a comprehensive dataset ready for publication in the journal. Abstracts submitted for the annual meeting will be published in Supportive Care in Cancer (electronic version only). For more information on all abstract submission deadlines and policies, click here.   
Late-Breaking Abstract Submissions are open until March 26, 2020, 23:59 CET.

The Oncology Nursing Society has offered MASCC two complimentary registrations to its 2020 Annual Congress, to be held April 29-May 3 in San Antonio, Texas. First come, first served. Please email Melissa Chin at [email protected] by March 20 if you are interested.

2020    In the February MASCC Society News 2020 issue we are pleased to introduce Angela Perez, MASCC’s new Communications Director, who will serve as Website Editor and Editor of the MASCC Society News, among other duties. Again, I’d like to thank everyone at MASCC for the opportunity to be part of an organization I greatly admire and respect. I am continually impressed by the growing global presence of MASCC and by the commitment of its staff, leaders, and members. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure in more ways than I can say! In the future, feel free to contact me at [email protected].

2020    We are pleased to introduce MASCC’s new Communications Manager, who succeeds Toni Clark as Website and Society News Editor. Angela joined MASCC on January 2nd and will assume full responsibility for the Society News starting with the March issue. In addition to the News and website editing, Angela will assist with developing and executing communication plans for MASCC, which will include content on our website and social media outlets, and numerous other writing and editing projects.

2020    A Report on the 21st Brazilian Congress of Clinical Oncology

The Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (Sociedade Brasileira de Oncologia Clínica, SBOC) hosted the 21st Brazilian Congress of Clinical Oncology (Congresso Brasileiro de Oncologia Clinica) on October 23-26, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro in partnership with the Brazilian Society of Oncological Surgery and the Brazilian Society of Radiotherapy. The Congress, directed by Sérgio Simon, MD, PhD, President of SBOC, and Rachel Riechelmann, MD, President of the Scientific Committee, also incorporated the 20th Congress of the Brazilian Society of Oncology Nursing and the 6th International Symposium on Psycho-Oncology, Pre-Congress Courses on Oncogenetics and Immunotherapy, and several other courses (e.g., on legal issues, oncological dentistry, and ocular oncology, among others). The focus of the 2019 Congress was multidisciplinarity, a key element in the success of any cancer treatment and one that increases favorable patient outcomes — in terms of both health and quality of life. The event included dozens of speakers representing numerous specialties. Presentations addressed major advances in the systemic treatment of each tumor type, with modules led by renowned experts.