Targeting Cancer Fun Run Returns to Call for Closing the Care Gap

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) is pleased to announce the return of the Targeting Cancer Fun Run to the 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Adelaide on the morning of 29 October after two years’ absence.

One in two cancer patients would benefit from radiation therapy, but fewer than one in three patients actually receive radiation therapy. The Fun Run 2022 aims to raise awareness of radiation therapy for cancer treatment with a focus on closing the care gap for Indigenous populations in Australia and New Zealand.

A breaking study on outcomes for Aboriginal people with cancer in NSW to be presented at RANZCR ASM 2022 is the largest and most comprehensive population-based study of Aboriginal cancer patients in Australia to date. It reports that Aboriginal patients have worse overall and cancer-specific survival rates than non-Aboriginal patients (10-year survival rate: 53% vs. 66%; 5-year survival rate: 60% vs. 64%). After adjusting for many factors (such as sex, age, degree of spread, socioeconomic status, accessibility to cancer service, receiving radiotherapy), the risk of dying from cancer was higher for Aboriginal patients than for non-Aboriginal patients. Aboriginal people have a higher utilisation rate of radiation therapy than non-Aboriginal patients (30% vs. 25.7%) likely due to adverse factors such as presenting with more advanced cancer and inability to afford surgery.

Clin A/Prof Sanjay Jeganathan, RANZCR President, said: “We keep delivering on our commitment to equitable health outcome for Indigenous people in Australia and New Zealand. The Fun Run 2022 is an engaging, meaningful event that calls for everyone to run for indigenous cancer patients and carers.”

Dr Lucinda Morris and Dr Tuan Ha, Co-Chairs of Targeting Cancer Management Committee, said: “Radiation therapy can cure many cancers. Accessing radiation therapy for cancer care and an optimal health outcome remains a big challenge, especially for Indigenous people. We hope to continue raising awareness with this run.”

Julie McCrossin AM, Targeting Cancer Campaign Ambassador, head and neck cancer survivor, and broadcaster, said: “I was part of the inaugural run back in 2015 in Adelaide. It was truly impressive to see so many radiation oncologists and colleagues showing their commitment to physical exercise, which helps prevent everything. It is the treatment that saved my life!”

The Fun Run is a signature annual event of the Targeting Cancer Campaign that aims to raise awareness of radiation therapy as an effective, safe, and sophisticated treatment for cancer. Since its launch in 2013, the Targeting Cancer Campaign has reached more than 50 million people globally.

Registration is now open for all conference delegates and the public. Please visit RANZCR ASM 2022 website to learn more about the event schedule, the course map, and important updates and information. Register RANZCR ASM 2022 to attend in-person or virtually. Search or use #RANZCR2022 to follow updates from the RANZCR ASM 2022 on social media.