Caroline Kelly, Professor Jas Samra, CE Deb Willcox, Professor Nick Pavlakis, Avner CEO Michelle Stewart and former patient Kristin Washbourne
Partnering with Avner The Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) are collaborating to further translate cutting edge medical research and treatment into evidence-based clinical practice for patients with pancreatic cancer. The chance of surviving pancreatic cancer after five years is only 9.8 per cent compared to a person with prostate cancer who has a 95 per cent chance. In 2019 there will be an estimated 3051 deaths from pancreatic cancer in Australia. With world-leading pancreatic cancer specialists based at Royal North Shore Hospital, the collaboration between the Avner Foundation and NSLHD is aimed at supporting clinicians to better deliver the best patient care and treatment. At the launch of the partnership held at the Kolling Institute, NSLHD Chief Executive Deb Willcox said the district had a long and proud history of being leaders in treatment of pancreatic cancer. “Medical research and evidence-based practice by the specialist multi-disciplinary team of clinicians is at the core of developing better techniques and treatments for pancreatic cancer management,” Ms Willcox said. “By building on existing clinical strengths
and developing a centre of excellence with leading clinicians we can continue to improve our coordinated, strategic approach to the care and treatment provided to patients with pancreatic cancer. “Ensuring strong partnerships with other organisations is also essential if we are to translate the benefits of our clinical expertise to patients and our community.” The Avner Foundation, established in 2008 and named after Avner Nahmani, is focused on dramatically increasing pancreatic cancer survival rates and is the only foundation in Australia exclusively dedicated to improving outcomes for those affected by pancreatic cancer. Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation CEO, Michelle Stewart said international and national research has found that patients achieve the best outcomes when treated at high-volume centres, with a multidisciplinary team approach and cancer care coordinators. “We look forward to working with the world class multi-disciplinary team at RNSH to improve patient treatment options and outcomes. We want to broaden our Foundation’s collaboration to ensure that no matter where patients are they can have access to the best outcomes.”
14 NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 22| 6 DECEMBER 2019
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