The Young Oncologist (YO) Track Sessions are specially designed by young oncologists for young oncologists and planned by the ESMO Young Oncologist Committee. The sessions are educational and cover topics especially relevant to YOs in their daily practice and/or research activities.
YO Track sessions are always very popular and well attended, and for good reasons: not only do attendees acquire a deeper knowledge on key aspects, but the sessions also provide attendees with a platform for networking with other oncology professionals.
ESMO 2016 Webcasts
ESMO members: access the YO Track 2016 webcasts via OncologyPRO
Webcasts and/or presentations are also available to ESMO 2016 delegates where their registration fee included webcast access though the ESMO Conference Platform.
Young Oncologists Sessions
YO Masterclass
The YO Masterclass, chaired by the former and current chairs of the YO Committee Raffaele Califano (UK) and Matthias Preusser (AT), focused on the topic of immune-oncology under the title 'Harnessing the immune system for cancer therapy.' Four speakers discussed the subject.
- Basic immunology for the medical oncologist – I. Melero (ES)
- Immune checkpoint blockade and impact on clinical practice – J. Wolchok (US)
- Combining immunotherapies with other anti-cancer therapies – P. Lorigan (UK)
- Managing toxicities: Case based discussions – J. Weber (US)
Vesalius Talk
Developing an effective relationship between basic scientists and medical oncologists
During the Vesalius Talk, panellists and audience discussed whether there is a gap between basic scientists and medical oncologists, and in the countries and institutes where this is the case, how to address the issue. ESMO YO Committee chair Matthias Preusser (AT) chaired the session, with basic scientists R. Marais (UK) and M. Sibilia (AT) and medical oncologists M. Garassino (IT) and G. Pentheroudakis (GR) on the panel.
The Vesalius Talk is a rare opportunity for a direct discussion between young oncologists and key opinion leaders in the field of medical oncology. The session was followed by networking and refreshments.
YO Brunch sessions
The 1-hour practical sessions with personal and professional development tips for YOs were successfully moved to the easier-to-attend brunch slot of 11 am rather than early morning as in previous years. Session rooms were packed and attendees could grab a brunch bag on the way in before learning about tried and tested skills for improving their academic careers. Sessions were delivered in a relaxed environment with the opportunity to asks questions and enter in to discussion.
- EMA approval process for anticancer agents: What should the oncologist know? - F. Pignatti (UK)
- How to find the best literature for your paper: Pubmed and other academic databases - E. Harriss (UK)
- What makes a good review article? The Editors perspective - O. Mir (FR) and C. Zielinski (AT)
YO Mentorship Session
For the first time at an ESMO Congress, YOs were able to pre-register to attend a mentorship session to discuss their educational and career development choices with leading oncology experts. Key opinion leaders shared their experience and vision, both professional and personal, in an informal setting encouraging open conversation with mentors and peers. Session were fully booked for the three topics proposed:
- Working in academia – Mentors: R. Stupp (CH), E. Felip (ES)
- Practicing oncologists – Mentors: S. Braga (PT), S. Rauh (LU)
- Industry as a career choice – Mentors: T. Lillie (UK), M. Rashford (FR)
YO Special Session - Fellowships
The YO Fellowship session was intended to inspire and inform YOs interested in benefitting from the ESMO Fellowship programme, and concluded with an awards ceremony for the 2016 Research Fellowship awardees, sponsors and host institutes, the winner of the 'Journal Club review of the year' 'and the winner of the 'Best ESMO exam 2015'.
- The ESMO Fellowship Programme – V. Guarneri (IT)
- Practical tips from a former fellow – D. Kolarevic (RS)
The session also featured two previous fellowship award winners (selected by competition) who presented their projects:
- Best Fellowship project 1 – Elena Castro Marcos (ES) Read her fellowship report
- Best Fellowship project 2 – Angela Lamarca (UK) Read her fellowship report
YO Forum
This session staged examples of optimal handling of a presentation and interview situations, with a presentation by press relations expert Duncan Hart (UK) including live demonstrations on how to handle an interview situation. Previous YOC members E. De Azambuja (BE) and E. Martinelli (IT) then discussed how to organise your career, become an effective leader and create a strong team.
New additional activities for Young Oncologists during congress 2016:
Medical Student Poster Walk
Some of the medical students who participated in the 2016 ESMO-ESO Student Course as well as local Danish students, met with YOC chair Matthias Preusser and his colleague Anna Berghoff who took them on an educational poster walk to view and comment on some of the posters presented at the congress.
Discover ESMO Programme
All members were invited to stop by at dedicated times in the ESMO Members Lounge to meet with the officers and share their feedback and find out more about how to make the most of ESMO membership. Two timeslots were dedicated to ESMO for YOs and allowed young members to meet members of the Young Oncologists Committee, in order to get information about activities and benefits, and to share their feedback.
ESMO Focus Talks
One of these informal discussions by leading experts taking place at the dedicated area on the ESMO booth focused on young oncologists with the theme 'Your career in oncology, with ESMO by your side'.