BTAA Patient Education & Information Forum Melbourne, 13 October 2024

The Brain Cancer Group was proud to be the Bronze Sponsor for the COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting being held at the Langham Hotel, Melbourne from 12-15 October.

We were particularly excited to sponsor and co-host the Patient Education and Information Forum in collaboration with Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) on Sunday 13 October from 10am – 2:30pm.

This vital session was facilitated by our dedicated nurse practitioner, Marina Kastelan. Brain cancer experts presented the latest research and news in the morning. The afternoon program consisted of facilitated sessions for patients and carers giving them the opportunity to share and connect over their experiences.  

These forums are one of the many ways we work towards our mission of providing Research, Education, and Support to brain cancer patients and their carers. If you are unable to attend in person, the event will also be accessible online. Join us in this important opportunity to connect, learn, and advance our shared goals. 

You can watch the full program on our YouTube Channel

The Program:

Facilitated by Marina Kastelan

Neuro Oncology Nurse Practitioner, The Brain Cancer Group

9.30am - 10.00am | Registrations

Tea and coffee on arrival

10.00am | Opening Remarks

A/Prof Eng-Siew Koh, Chair COGNO

10.10am | Simultaneously Managing a “Bucket List” & a Shopping List: Strategies to Feel and Function Well in the Face of a Brain Tumour.

Dr Erin Dunbar, Director of Neuro-Oncology, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

10.30am | Molecular Profiling of Brain Tumours

Dr Ben Kong, Medical Oncologist, Prince of Wales Hospital

10.50am | Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials Update

Dr Malaka Ameratunga, Medical Oncologist, Alfred Health

11.10am | Fatigue and Brain Tumours

Dr Rachel Campbell, University of Sydney, PoCoG

11.20am | Role of Community Brain Cancer Navigator

Jonathan Muller, Community Brain Cancer Navigator,

Peace of Mind Foundation

11.35am to 12.15pm | Q&A Panel Discussion

12.15pm – Lunch

Mindful Meditation video plays for webinar participants

1.15pm | Patient and Carer Sessions

Patient session: Fatigue

Dr Rachel Campbell, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Sydney

Carer session: Caring for the Carer

Dr Megan Jeon, Post-doctoral Research Fellow,

University of Sydney

2.15pm | Patient and Carer Sessions Smmary

2.25pm | The benefits of Exercise for Individuals with Brain Cancer -

an Interactive Exercise Session.

Dr Ashley Bigaran Senior Exercise Physiologist, Austin Health

Mr Blake Binion, Exercise Physiologist, Deakin University

2.45 pm – Closing Remarks

Craig Cardinal, Chair BTAA.