OFD 2025

Transgender individuals face unique challenges in cancer care, particularly in gynecologic oncology. Differences in anatomy, hormone exposure, and surgical history require an individualized, evidence-based approach to screening, diagnosis, and treatment. This session will explore how gender-affirming care principles can be integrated into oncologic practice to improve outcomes and patient experience.

We will begin by reviewing current evidence on cancer risk and screening considerations for transgender patients, with a focus on gynecologic malignancies.The impact of long-term gender-affirming hormone therapy on cancer risk and progression will be examined, including clinical implications when managing hormone receptor–positive cancers. Special attention will be given to scenarios where resuming or discontinuing hormone therapy may influence cancer control, illustrated through real-world case studies of two transgender patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

The presentation will highlight practical strategies for adapting screening protocols based on anatomy and risk profile, as well as approaches to treatment planning when hormone therapy intersects with oncologic management. The importance of multidisciplinary care will be emphasized, including the roles of oncology, endocrinology, mental health, nursing, and primary care.

Finally, we will address psychosocial and systemic barriers to care, such as misgendering, gaps in provider knowledge, and healthcare avoidance, offering solutions to foster trust and engagement. By combining clinical evidence with patient-centered strategies, this session aims to equip healthcare professionals with the tools needed to deliver sensitive, inclusive, and effective cancer care to transgender patients.

This interactive talk will integrate evidence-based guidelines, case-based discussion, and practical tips to support multidisciplinary collaboration and optimize care for a population often overlooked in oncology.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. Identify cancer risk factors and unique screening needs in transgender patients based on anatomy, hormone exposure and surgical history
2. Evaluate the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on cancer treatment decisions, particularly in hormone receptor–positive malignancies
3. Integrate multidisciplinary care and address barriers to optimize cancer treatment for transgender patients
4. Incorporate patient-centered strategies that respect gender identity while delivering evidence-based cancer treatment

This session will provide a basic overview of how to evaluate and interpret the results of an oncology trial. Participants will gain an appreciation for chosen efficacy endpoints in oncology research with a focus on the interpretation of survival analyses to assess trial outcomes. The session will review key elements of critical appraisal to prepare participants to evaluate the validity, reliability, and quality of an oncology trial in their own evidence-based practice.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. Appreciate the rationale for chosen efficacy endpoints in oncology trials such as progression-free survival and overall survival
2. Identify when it is most appropriate to perform a survival analysis to assess a trial outcome
3. Interpret Kaplan-Meier curves and measures of effect such as hazard ratios from oncology trials
4. Interpret the results of and critically appraise a clinical trial

Multiple Myeloma is the third-most common hematological cancer in Canada behind non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia. This presentation aims to provide a solid foundational understanding of this disease, tailored to new oncology pharmacy practitioners or general pharmacy practitioners who care for cancer patients. The initial focus will centre on the background (incidence, mortality, risk factors), pathophysiology/clinical presentation, diagnosis and relevant tests. We will then examine the current treatment options available for multiple myeloma by familiarizing ourselves with the various pharmacotherapy classes of medications and how these agents fit into the current Canadian landscape for treatment. Lastly, we'll take a brief look at supportive care strategies that are utilized in this population.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. Describe the incidence, mortality, and risk factors of Multiple Myeloma (MM)
2. Understand the pathophysiology of MM, including clinical presentation, diagnosis and relevant tests
3. Summarize the current treatment options for MM
4. Become familiar with the various drug classes used in MM treatment, including mechanisms of action, dosing, adverse effects, and common drug interactions
5. Describe supportive care strategies including bone modifying agents and antimicrobial prophylaxis in MM

This practical review is designed for pharmacists with an interest in oncology who want a straightforward, usable approach to preventing and managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). We will cover the different types—acute, delayed, anticipatory, breakthrough, and refractory—and look at how to assess risk based on both the chemotherapy regimen and patient factors. The focus is on multimodal prophylaxis tailored to emetogenic risk, with a plan for both acute and delayed phases. We’ll also review rescue strategies and ways to manage anticipatory symptoms as well as safety points to keep in mind (such as QT prolongation, drug interactions, SE) from certain antiemetics.

Focussing on outpatient care, we’ll discuss practical tips—like using standardized order sets, patient counseling sheets, clear home instructions, and triage pathways. Three short case studies will highlight common scenarios and decision points.

This presentation will encourage pharmacists to follow current guidelines while adapting them to real-world practice and individual patient needs. We will wrap up with three key takeaways: match prophylaxis to the regimen first, plan for delayed and breakthrough phases, and reassess/document response every cycle. References include the latest ASCO, NCCN, and MASCC/ESMO antiemetic guidelines.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. Understand pathophysiology & risk factors for CINV
2. Classify chemotherapy by emetogenic risk
3. Apply guideline recommended prophylaxis and rescue therapy
4. Provide practical tips for outpatient implementation and patient education

As practices evolve, so do the standards that safeguard both patients and pharmacy teams. This presentation explores the latest updates from the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and other standard-setting organizations, moving beyond compliance to cultivate a culture of safety and accountability. Participants will be empowered to not just comply with standards, but embed practices that create environments where instinctive, continuous improvement balances patient care and worker protection.  
 
Learning objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explore the latest updates to compounding and hazardous drug handling standards
2. Discuss the responsibilities of pharmacy teams, and common challenges faced, when ensuring compliance
3. Examine how updated standards reshape pharmacy practice and workflows
4. Develop a plan to evaluate current practices against updated NAPRA requirements to identify areas for improvement 

Colorectal cancer is among the most prevalent cancers globally and continues to represent a significant cause of cancer-related deaths. This presentation is designed to give participants a clear and practical understanding of the disease, with a focus on aspects most relevant to pharmacy practice.

We will begin by reviewing the epidemiology of colorectal cancer, including incidence, mortality, risk factors, common signs and symptoms, and current approaches to screening. The session will then cover the major types of colorectal cancer and outline standard treatment strategies such as surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies.

Attention will be directed toward pharmacological management across early and advanced stages, along with the role of key molecular biomarkers that influence therapeutic choices. The presentation will conclude by highlighting the contributions of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in optimizing patient care through education, treatment monitoring, and management of adverse effects.
 

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. Identify common signs, symptoms, and risk factors of colorectal cancer, as well as current screening recommendations.
2. Describe general treatment approaches, including surgery, radiotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, for colorectal cancer.
3. Outline pharmacological treatments used in early-stage and advanced colorectal cancer.
4. Identify major molecular biomarkers and mutations in colorectal cancer and their therapeutic implications.
5. Discuss the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in patient education, monitoring, and management of treatment-related adverse effects.

Telehealth is transforming pharmacy practice across all settings, enabling pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to deliver accessible, efficient and patient-centered care. From virtual medication counselling to remote verification processes, technology is helping to reshape how pharmacy teams provide and help support patient care activities. These telehealth initiatives are particularly important and impactful in oncology pharmacy, where treatment complexity and safety requirements require precision and collaboration involving patients and across healthcare teams.

This presentation will explore telehealth tools tailored to oncology pharmacy teams. These internal-facing technologies are used within healthcare teams to enhance team coordination and improve workflow efficiency. Examples include remote chemotherapy order verification, temperature monitoring systems for drug storage, secure messaging with prescribers and shared clinical dashboards. The benefits of these tools will be discussed, along with barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

The presentation will also review patient-facing digital health tools that connect pharmacy team members directly with patients using remote aspects. These include virtual medication counselling, symptoms tracking/reporting apps, secure portals for appointment scheduling and automated patient follow-up initiatives. These tools may enable early intervention, improve communication and provide ease of healthcare access for patients.

Participants will gain strategies for implementing telehealth tools in their own oncology pharmacy practice settings. By the end of the session, participants will understand how to leverage internal and patient-facing technologies to optimize workflow while maintaining patient-centered care.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. Define telehealth and describe its relevance in oncology pharmacy.
2. Identify various types of internal-facing technologies that support the healthcare team and discuss common barriers and facilitators to their implementation.
3. Describe patient-facing telehealth tools and identify strategies to maximize patient engagement