Cancer treatments, like blood stem cell transplants, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy are saving more lives than ever. But they are expensive for government and sometimes for patients, and may have costs, such as harsh side effects during treatment and ongoing health challenges.
- How do we make sure we’re not giving people aggressive therapy that is ultimately futile?
- Is saving a life enough – what about the treatments that result in serious side effects?
- How is personalised medicine improving outcomes and patient treatment experiences?
- How do we help people who are suffering (and their loved ones) have reasonable expectations and make informed choices?
- What is the cost (personal, health, financial) of a treatment versus the benefit and how is this changing?
Bring your questions to a FREE public event at 3.00pm ACDT on Sunday 10 November at The University of Adelaide (and via livestream).
You’ll hear from top cancer and stem cell scientists in a panel discussion, led by ABC Radio National Big Ideas presenter Natasha Mitchell and recorded for national broadcast.
On the panel:
Professor Mark Dawson: a haematologist and clinician-scientist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre who has revolutionised the understanding and treatment of blood cancers, such as leukaemia.
Associate Professor David Elliott: a cardiac stem cell researcher at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. He is working to reduce the damaging side effects of anti-cancer drugs on the hearts of children undergoing life-saving chemotherapy.
Professor Megan Munsie: a stem cell ethics and education expert at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne, with deep knowledge of the extent and risks of unproven stem cell treatments and medical tourism.
This event is hosted by the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research (ASSCR), in partnership with the University of Adelaide/South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), and supported by the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia as part of our mission to provide community education.
Register online: https://events.humanitix.com/making-cancer-treatment-worth-it
