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    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.

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    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   World Cancer Day is a global observance that helps raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect, and treat it. This event is held each year on February 4 — a time when people, businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations work together to help the general public learn more about the different types of cancer, as well as prevention, treatment, and support. The 2019-2021 campaign theme, “I Am and I Will,” stresses empowerment and personal commitment and is intended to inspire change and mobilize action long after the official day has passed. This is also a good time to help spread the word about the importance of supportive cancer care — for people living with cancer, for cancer survivors, for caregivers and for loved ones.

2020    The Oral Medicine Research Laboratory at Atrium Health, North Carolina, has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. This individual will conduct basic and clinical translational research for genomics related biomarker discovery for oral and systemic diseases, using molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and microbiology investigation methodologies. Responsibilities include all aspects of research, including protocol and experimental design, study implementation in the laboratory, data analysis and interpretation, grant writing, abstract and manuscript preparation, and presentation at meetings. For further information about essential functions and responsibilities, see Postdoctoral and Research Fellowships. Or contact Dr. Jean-Luc Mougeot (Tel. 1-704-355-4279).

2020    The MASCC Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recognizes meritorious achievement, exemplary leadership, and outstanding contributions to MASCC and its mission. Any MASCC member can nominate a candidate for this award. Nominees must be current members of MASCC in good standing and must have made a significant contribution to research, education, and/or clinical supportive care in cancer. The DSA is presented each year at the MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting. The most recent recipients include Drs. Rachel Gibson (2019), Charles Loprinzi (2018), David Warr (2017), Matti Aapro (2016), Jørn Herrstedt (2015), Dorothy Keefe (2014), Declan Walsh (2013), and Paul Hesketh (2012). Nominations for the 2020 DSA are due by April 1st. See the award policy, selection process, and nomination form at MASCC Policies and Forms.

2020    MASCC is pleased to announce the first four MASCC-Designated Centers of Excellence in Supportive Care in Cancer. MASCC’s certification program, initiated in February 2019, aims to promote and recognize oncology centers around the world that demonstrate best practices in supportive cancer care by successfully integrating oncology and supportive care, upholding high standards, and maintaining comprehensive supportive care services. MASCC’s certification program also aims both to educate and to encourage a supportive care focus among oncology healthcare professionals globally. Certification criteria include a supportive care focus in clinical activities, research, and educational initiatives, as well as adherence to international guidelines. Qualifying Centers may apply to MASCC’s Certification Program.

2020    Digital health — the use of technology to improve health and healthcare — is a simple concept, but a broad field that encompasses telehealth and telemedicine, health information technology, mobile health, and personalized medicine. One of its prime aims and benefits is the empowerment of all individuals to make better-informed health decisions by providing accurate and appropriate information as well as options for prevention, early diagnosis, and disease management outside traditional healthcare settings. Digital health products include mobile medical apps, decision support software, wearable devices, and more.

2020    MASCC is pleased to announce four exciting Pre-Conference Workshops to be held at the 2020 MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting. All of the workshops will take place on Thursday, June 25, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Workshop attendance requires registration in addition to registration for the Annual Meeting. Register at the official 2020 Annual Meeting website. Early-bird registration rates (for both the conference and the workshops) are in effect until March 10.

2020    The Sapporo Conference for Palliative and Supportive Care in Cancer will be held on August 21-22, 2020 in Sapporo, Japan. The meeting will feature a symposium on opioids and cancer pain, as well as sessions focusing on the integration of oncology and palliative care, spiritual issues in palliative care, and psycho-oncology. Among the featured speakers are MASCC members Eduardo Bruera, MD, FAAHPM, Marvin Delgado-Guay, MD, Betty Ferrell, RN, PhD, MA, FAAN, FPCN, Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD, MA, MHS, FAAHPM, and Takao Takahashi, MD, PhD. The deadline for abstract submission is January 23, 2020. For more information, see Sapporo Conference for Palliative and Supportive Care in Cancer.

2020    MASCC is considering the development of an app to allow healthcare professionals to quickly search for guidelines and expert opinions on managing the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatments. We would like to put together a MASCC Working Group to explore the possibility of developing such an app and provide input on desirable features. The objective is an easily searchable resource that can be used in the clinic or at the bedside to access current management practices in supportive oncology at the point of care. If you are interested, contact Melissa at [email protected].

2020    MASCC is sad to announce that Toni Clark, MASCC Web and Society News Editor, will be retiring.  We thank her for her many contributions.  Her MASCC family sends wishes for much good fortune, safe travels and the best of luck.

A Personal Note on My Retirement

I will be retiring from MASCC and concluding my medical writing career at the end of January but will be on hand for a few weeks to help with the transition to our new Communications Manager. For those who don’t know me well, I’ve had a long career as a medical writer and editor before joining the MASCC team in September 2014 — first in academic research centers and later in private industry at companies that produced diagnostic and management decision-making software. While both settings afforded numerous challenges, opportunities, and great personal satisfaction, MASCC has been the best fit for me — the most congenial atmosphere and the most rewarding work. I’m really happy that the conclusion of my professional work-life has been so gratifying.

2020    Do you have a great idea to improve oncology care? Together with the Oncology Nursing Society, Johnson & Johnson announces the Johnson & Johnson Nurses Innovate QuickFire Challenge in Oncology. Nurses worldwide are invited to submit their innovative ideas aimed at improving oncology care — novel concepts, protocols, treatment approaches, and device ideas that may have the power to profoundly change human health. The nurse innovators with the best idea(s) will receive up to $100,000 in grant funding and access to mentoring and coaching from experts across the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies to help bring their ideas to life.