What we do
As the peak national body representing health professionals working in cancer control, COSA advises, leads and advocates for policy and practice change to improve, develop and maintain high-quality, multidisciplinary clinical management and care of people affected by cancer.
COSA is the only single organisation that can provide a national perspective on cancer control activity from those who deliver treatment and care services across all disciplines.
COSA conducts an Annual Scientific Meeting – a national platform for multidisciplinary cancer health professionals, seminars and other educational activities related to current national cancer issues.
COSA also works to:
- provide leadership in improving the structure, infrastructure and coordination of clinical, translational and health services cancer research;
- advocate for the availability of funding across the spectrum of research related to cancer care and control;
- influence policy affecting cancer service delivery and care;
- improve cancer care and service delivery through targeted initiatives in priority areas; and
- influence national and state cancer control policy and directions through relationships with federal and state governments.
Subcommittees
The Education and Research core aim subcommittees work to meet COSA’s mission of effectively addressing the needs of its membership through multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education and research.
Education subcommittee
The Education subcommittee of COSA is primarily concerned with promoting multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education of its members. It seeks to improve the educational resources and opportunities for COSA members. The group also works to maintain and strengthen collaboration with existing educational projects to ensure that COSA's perspective is well represented. Members of the group have been involved in Cancer Learning.
Other activities of the Education subcommittee include to:
- promote curriculum development for all health professionals in cancer, identifying existing channels and ways to assist;
- maximise readership and reach of Cancer Forum as a quality journal; and
- encourage membership to publish articles on national or strategic issues.
Chair: Prof Bogda Koczwara
Research subcommittee
The Research subcommittee of COSA defines research as all aspects of professional enquiry, including the areas of laboratory, clinical and health services research and epidemiology.
The group aims to provide resources for research, including standardised templates, toxicity criteria and other common tools, that assist members in improving patient outcomes. The research group has also been involved in establishing a research blog for members where researchers can share questions and point each other towards relevant resources.
Chair: Prof Ian Olver
