UMMC Cancer Symposium shares major advances in prevention, treatment

The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Cancer Institute and the Mississippi Society of Oncology will hold a one-day symposium Aug. 22 for health-care providers who care for cancer patients.

 While it's a first in Mississippi, several other states have offered such mini-symposiums annually to summarize the most relevant findings presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology. It's another tool to help cancer service providers in Mississippi keep up with the latest information available, said Dr. Tate Thigpen, UMMC professor of medicine and director of the Division of Hematology-Oncology. 

To be held in the Jackson Medical Mall Conference Center, the 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. symposium will focus on major advances in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and follow-up care in the past year and identify how providers can improve the standard of care for Mississippi cancer patients. 

"It's important for oncologists to stay up to date," Thigpen said. "We want to raise awareness of the resources available to oncologists at UMMC."

The symposium is open to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and residents. 

Sessions include national efforts to move toward patient-centered care and to provide support for patients and their families; how patient-centered care improves cancer outcomes; advances in the biologic understanding of cancer; and updates on new therapies and advances in treating cancer.  

Speakers include Dr. Derek Raghaven from the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, N.C., who will present the Moreton Lecture on Advances in Biology and Management of Bladder Cancer; Deborah Watkins Bruner, PhD, from Emory University, who will lead the patient-centered outcome session; and Dr. Gordana Vlahovic from Duke University in Durham, N.C., who will discuss Molecular Bases of Lung Cancer. 

Other speakers include University Cancer Care physicians Thigpen, Dr. Carolyn Bigelow, Dr. Vincent E. Herrin, Dr. Calvin Thigpen, Dr. Louis Puneky, Dr. Robert D. Hamilton and Dr. Barbara Craft.

The symposium offers .8 continuing education units. For a schedule of registration fees or to register, click here.