I was the fortunate recipient of the 2024 CAPhO Conference Pharmacist Travel Grant and it marked my first CAPhO Conference ever. This opportunity could not have come at a better time for me. As Françoise Mathieu so eloquently described in her plenary session about staying well in oncology, I was “crispy, fried,” and had a sinking feeling about my career and practice. The theme for this year’s conference was “Rising Tides Lift All Boats: Partnering to Advance Oncology Pharmacy” and it met its objective with this sinking pharmacist.
My conference experience began with the Oral Anti-Cancer Agents Management Workshop which was a highlight for me. The combination of didactic learning and collaboration with other clinicians on timely and highly relevant patient cases was highly effective. We reviewed the management of patients taking VEGF inhibitors, CDK 4/6 inhibitors, and ALK inhibitors, and by the workshop’s end, I had a freshly stocked repertoire of clinical pearls to help my patients. The workshop ended with colleagues from across Canada sharing their successes in establishing oral systemic therapy clinics at their practices. I left feeling inspired and excited for the rest of the conference.
And the rest of the conference did not disappoint. The various industry-sponsored symposia I attended covered topics including the use of bispecifics in multiple myeloma, managing HR+ metastatic breast cancer, and recent advances in the treatment of indolent lymphomas. Particularly important to me were the sessions about the new bispecifc antibodies because I have no experience with these agents yet, but I know they’re coming to my clinic, and I’m now better prepared to monitor my patients and manage their associated toxicities.
On Friday night, I presented my master’s research project about treatment satisfaction and its relationship to persistence with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy in post-menopausal breast cancer survivors. This was the first time I’d presented my project outside of an academic setting and it was an invaluable experience that provided me with important feedback, new ideas, and connections to grow and develop further as a researcher.
Saturday’s plenaries were wide ranging and included the pharmacist’s role in the common sense oncology movement, the impact of exercise on cancer outcomes, the use of an interactive portal to collect patient-reported outcomes, and artificial intelligence and its implications for oncology pharmacy. The opening plenary was presented by the incomparable Françoise Mathieu, who I mentioned earlier. She introduced us to the concepts of secondary traumatic stress, low-impact debriefing, moral distress, and empathic strain. She also generously provided us with numerous strategies for self-care and cultivating compassion. The day ended with an incredible example of east coast hospitality – the kitchen party. We ate, danced, and got to know new friends while listening to the amazing music of the local maritime band, Merimac.
For me, Sunday’s presentations about 2SLGBTQIA+ clinical considerations in cancer care by Dr. Maya Leiva, and Dr. Jaris Swidrowich and Jeanette Bear’s presentations about Indigenous People’s experiences in Canada and in cancer care really resonated. These speakers had powerful messages that touched me personally and professionally and will have an ongoing impact on my practice.
Beyond the presentations and planned learning was the informal education my colleagues from across the country provided me through discussion and shared anecdotes. This is what makes an event like this truly invaluable and rewarding. I have a list of new friends and I apologize now for spamming you all on LinkedIn. I’m also left with a desire to get more involved with CAPhO because of the people who keep this organization running and were able to assemble such an exceptional event. Thank you for making me feel so welcome! You are role models for the profession and oncology pharmacy heroes in my eyes! I can’t wait to see you all again in Victoria in 2025 “where land meets sea and cultures converge”!