Medical experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals from across the ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region recently convened in Bangkok, Thailand, for the 6th Breast Roundtable, supported by Siriraj Hospital. The event, which took place on June 1st, 2024, aimed to help drive the sharing of best clinical practices and drive advancements in precision radiation therapy for the treatment of breast cancer.
Bringing Together Leading Breast Cancer Experts
The roundtable brought together leading breast specialists from various ASEAN countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Dr. Jiayi Chen from China, a renowned expert in the field, also contributed to the discussions. In total, 12 distinguished experts presented their insights at the event, which was co-chaired by Dr. Chomporn Sitathanee from Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand and Dr. Muthukkumaran Thiagarajan from Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting drew over 100 participants, including healthcare professionals, researchers and industry representatives.
Roundtable presenters and moderators
Key Focus Areas
One of the key focus areas of this year’s roundtable was the in-depth discussion on hypofractionation and ultrahypofractionation in breast cancer treatment. With a growing number of breast cancer patients in the ASEAN region requiring postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT), the experts emphasized the importance of effective hypofractionated PMRT. They presented clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated radiotherapy regimens for postoperative breast cancer patients in Southeast Asian countries.
A Platform for Comprehensive Discussions
Furthermore, the event provided a platform for comprehensive discussions on the utilization of hypofractionated radiation therapy for breast cancer in various ASEAN countries. Topics ranged from public health coverage and reimbursement to patient access to advanced technologies, with experts from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand sharing their valuable insights.
A Journey Towards Advancing Breast Cancer Treatment
The 6th Breast Roundtable marked an important milestone in the journey towards advancing breast cancer treatment. Dr. Imjai, the leader of the roundtable, reflected on the 6 years’ progress and hinted at future plans to expand the scope of the event to cover more indications treated with Accuray technology. Attendees expressed eagerness for a future roundtable program dedicated to ASEAN countries, signaling the anticipation for continued collaboration and innovation in the field of oncology.
The collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange at the 6th Breast Roundtable have paved the way for further advancements in precision radiation therapy for breast cancer treatment, nurturing hope for improved patient care and outcomes in the ASEAN region and beyond.
