The 54th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) kicked off Sunday, with many attendees arriving in Boston over the weekend before Hurricane Sandy was expected to make landfall on Monday.
"The 2008 record of attendance should still be broken," said Dr. Michael Steinberg, ASTRO president and chairman. Roughly 12 thousand people from around the world should be attending the conference, held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center October 28-31.
Steinberg said several ground breaking studies will be presented over the next few days, particularly having to do with breast and prostate cancers treated with radiation therapy, and many oral and scientific session and posters will help attendees disseminate the information "so as much science can be presented as possible," said Steinberg.
During a news briefing on Sunday, Steinberg highlighted two studies in particular that will be discussed in more detail at the conference: Results from the first long-term study showing that breast cancer patients who received radiation therapy did not have a higher risk of heart problems, and another study showing that Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) improved overall sexual function of prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.
Despite advances in science and technology that the field has made over the years, Steinberg said he chose this year's theme, "Advancing Patient Care Through Innovation," to drive home the importance of patient care, especially in a post-health care reform environment that will make providers accountable for the care they give, and offer them financial incentives to keep patients healthy.
"There are ways to deliver high-quality care for all patients at a lower cost. Society demands this and it's possible through innovation," said Steinberg. ASTRO has already put together a task force to figure out better ways radiation therapy can interface with new health care delivery models.
Steinberg will discuss advancing patient care in more detail at his presidential symposium on Monday morning.
