• FOUNDED 2007

Overview

COSA members formed the Geriatric Oncology Group in 2007 to improve outcomes for older people affected by cancer. The Group brings together members from across Australia with this shared interest, a collectively strong knowledge, and a multidisciplinary perspective. The Group has expertise in evidence-based solutions in the delivery of cancer treatment and care that will make a difference in geriatric oncology outcomes.

The COSA Geriatric Oncology Group aims to improve outcomes for older adults affected by cancer through:

Education 

  • Promote and publish literature and reports to increase awareness of the need for specific approaches to treatment of cancer in older adults  
  • Host and attend workshops for Group members, and deliver presentations in national and international forums, to raise awareness of geriatric oncology from the Australian perspective  

Support for clinical practice

  • Mentorship in the support of clinical practice and the development of clinical services that improve the management of older patients with cancer
  • Provide leadership in the use of geriatric oncology assessment tools

Research

  • Develop, test and disseminate easy screening tools to enable referrals to multidisciplinary clinics and encourage integrated approaches between oncologists and geriatricians and the aged care sector
  • Facilitate collaborative research projects within the COSA membership

Advocacy

  • Seek support for the fostering of geriatric oncology training 
Thank you for visiting the COSA Geriatric Oncology Group page. While you're here, be sure to visit our Activities, Resources and Notice Board, for more information about the Group.

Group information

[Chair] Prof Meera Agar, University of Technology Sydney, NSW

[Co-Editor, GO eNews] Dr Polly Dufton, University of Melbourne / Austin Health, VIC

Dr Kim Edmunds, University of Queensland, QLD

Kimberley-Ann Kerr, Digital Health SA, Department for Health and Wellbeing, SA

[GOEER Chair] Dr Michael Krasovitsky, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre / UNSW Sydney, NSW

[SIOG National Representative] Dr Heather Lane, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA

[Co-Editor, GO eNews] Dr Wee-Kheng Soo, Eastern Health, VIC

Dr Christopher Steer, Border Medical Oncology, NSW

Elise Treleaven, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, QLD

Prof Shalini Vinod, Liverpool Hospital/South Western Sydney Clinical School UNSW, NSW

[GO Community of Practice Co-Chair] Dr Paul Viray, La Trobe Regional Hospital/Alfred Health/Cabrini Health, VIC 

Geriatric Oncology Group Terms of Reference – Council approved 1 November 2022

The Geriatric Oncology Group supports advocacy action and activities that improve outcomes for older adults with cancer and recognise the importance of tackling ageism in cancer care. Find out more and watch the recordings from our Ageism Forum

Find out more and watch the recordings

Whether you were able to attend or not, all past webinars are available to COSA members to watch.

24 October 2023 Optimising Care for the Older Patient with Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy
30 May 2023 Falls, ageing and cancer
11 October 2022 Cancer care in the older person – ethical dilemmas
20 September 2022 Cognition and delirium for older adults with cancer
30 August 2022 Models of care to support older people with cancer
26 October 2021 Older persons with cancer: Optimising medicine
19 October 2021 Older persons with cancer: Immunotherapy in older adults
14 September 2021 Older persons with cancer: The Older and Wiser study
24 August 2021 Screening & assessment: Screening tools and identifying frailty in older adults
10 August 2021 The value of the multidisciplinary team in caring for the older person with cancer

 

The COSA Geriatric Oncology Group also led the Ageism in Cancer Care Forum:

22 November 2022 Ageism in Cancer Care - evening 1
29 November 2022 Ageism in Cancer Care - evening 2

Catch up on COSA Geriatric Oncology Group activities and news from the last few years. The GO eNews is only available for members, so you'll need to login to access.

GOEER is a subgroup of the Geriatric Oncology Group aimed at expanding and deepening the field of geriatric oncology amongst trainees and early career clinicians. 

Find out more

The Geriatric Oncology Guideline Development Working Group is developing guidelines/practice points to help improve the clinical management of older adults with cancer in Australia.

Find out more

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Group Chair

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Group Chair

Meera Agar

Geriatric Oncology Group Chair