- 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
- Breakfast session (led by Darshit Thaker and Penny MacKenzie)
- Frailty through the lens of GO (Kheng Soo)
- Integrated Geriatric Assessment and Treatment Effectiveness (INTEGERATE) in older people with cancer starting systemic anticancer treatment: a multi-centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial (Kheng Soo)
- The Language of Ageism (Michael Krasovitsky)
- Stigma and Ageism (Christopher Steer)
- Cancer experts assemble to dismantle ageism media release
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.
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.
- Read the COSA Geriatric Oncology Group submission to the Australian Cancer Plan - March 2022
- Read the COSA Geriatric Oncology Group submission to the draft Australian Cancer Plan consultation - December 2022
What’s the latest
Group Chair
Group Chair
Meera Agar
Geriatric Oncology Group Chair
Join Australia's leading oncology community & make an impact
Become a COSA memberTwitter
@COSAoncology
Follow
COSAoncology an hour ago
Missed the earlybird pricing for the COSA Cancer Pharmacists Group Education Program? You can still save if you join COSA or renew your membership before 30 April 2024! Members save on CPG registration fees - bit.ly/3aNqaSr
Read More >COSAoncology 2 hours ago
COSA Groups create spaces to share ideas and information, work on projects and research, and contribute to COSA Council. To stay updated, make sure you update your Groups preferences when you renew your COSA membership. More: bit.ly/3emnboq
Read More >COSAoncology 2 days ago
RT by @cosaoncology: 🎙️Join Kim Hobbs at the Redefining Survivorship webinar! From navigating uncertainty to addressing financial burden and psychological challenges, Kim will offer invaluable advice for supporting people with treatable, but not curable cancers. Register here: tinyurl.com/yc89zvmk
Read More >COSAoncology 2 days ago
COSA's April eNews is in members' inboxes now ... ... and available to COSA members at bit.ly/4aNLTG6
Read More >COSAoncology 3 days ago
It only takes a few minutes to join COSA – Don't forget if you join by 30 April 2024 you will get bonus months of membership, and save on member rates before prices increase for 2024! Join now: bit.ly/3hXsDLm
Read More >COSAoncology 3 days ago
These steps show how to renew your COSA membership. Are you a nurse, have you been a student or in training and need to change your member type? Login first, then go to member types to select your new category: bit.ly/3s5mOC6
Read More >COSAoncology 8 days ago
COSA Groups reflect an interest in a tumour stream or specific cancer, age group, area, discipline or movement. When you join COSA, you can opt in to any number of Groups to reflect your specific interests in COSA. More: bit.ly/3emnboq
Read More >COSAoncology 9 days ago
RT by @cosaoncology: A great interview with #DickonHayne & @normanswan about @ANZUPtrials #BCGMM trial & @BelowTheBeltANZ study #SUBDUE1 @SpinnakerHRF #SouthMetropolitanHealthService @AstraZeneca @TrialsCentre @MSD_Aus #OmegaPharm @CancerAustralia @CancerAustralia @Prof_IanD abc.net.au/listen/program…
Read More >COSAoncology 9 days ago
Earlybird registration for the 2024 COSA CPG Education Course closes Friday 19 April 2024. Register today and save – not a COSA member? Join COSA and make further savings! bit.ly/3aNqaSr
Read More >COSAoncology 10 days ago
These steps show how to renew your COSA membership. Don't forget 2023 member rates are available for your 2024-25 membership until 30 April 2024! Start by logging in: bit.ly/4cI0nc3
Read More >