The symposium aims to raise awareness about cancers with poorer outcomes. The source of population data for these presentations is the Queensland Oncology Repository (QOR), which is a comprehensive clinical cancer database that links diagnostic information from the Queensland Cancer Register (QCR), with treatment data (radiation therapy, surgery, and intravenous systemic therapy), admissions data for both public and private hospitals, and patient outcome data.
The focus is on four challenging cancer types—lung, pancreas, Merkel cell, and brain and their impact on our community. We will discuss relevant clinical indicators, areas of inequity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and the impact of socioeconomic variation.
Lung Cancer: The leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, lung cancer poses significant challenges. We will examine quality indicators for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer across 28 elements from diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.
Pancreatic Cancer: Often diagnosed at advanced stage, pancreatic cancer presents a poor prognosis. Equity of treatment is crucial for this aggressive disease, ensuring that all individuals achieve optimal outcomes.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A rare and aggressive skin cancer, with a high risk of spreading if not diagnosed early. We will analyse Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Queensland and examine the variation in diagnosis, treatment, recurrence and survival.
Brain Cancer: Tumours affecting the brain in the adolescent and young adult population pose a significant burden to their quality of life. We will identify the unique neurocognitive and psychosocial needs of this cohort and their overall outcomes.