Overview
Rare cancers account for 20 per cent of cancers diagnosed in Australia, and 30 per cent of cancer-related deaths. People with rare cancers are more likely to die from their disease than people with more common cancers.
The outlook for people with rare cancers is not as good as that for people with more common cancers because:
- Rare cancers are often diagnosed at late, more advanced and harder to treat stages, because there are no effective screening strategies For patients and their health professionals may not recognise the symptoms of rare cancers
- Treatments for many rare cancers have not advanced at the same pace as treatments for more common cancers in recent years. This is because it is much harder to research or perform clinical trials for rarer diseases and there is often less support for researchers or clinicians.
The COSA Rare Cancers Group was established to help support and improve outcomes for patients with rare cancers. We work with community support groups such as Rare Cancers Australia (rarecancers.org.au) and the Cancer Council's Rare and Less Common Cancers Working Group.
We take an Australia-wide and international approach as collaborations are vital to more rapidly develop rare cancer knowledge and provide the most robust evidence-based for rare cancer patients.
Our membership is open to allied health and medical practitioners, and cancer researchers, with an interest in rare cancers. We also work with other tumour stream specialty groups to promote and develop rare cancer trials and research.
Group information
Read the Rare Cancers Group Terms of Reference
Read the AGM Minutes from 7 December 2020
What’s the latest
Group Chair
Group Chair
Clare Scott
Rare Cancers Group Chair & ANZGOG Representative
Join Australia's leading oncology community & make an impact
Become a COSA memberTwitter
@COSAoncology
Follow
COSAoncology yesterday
COSA Groups reflect an interest in a tumour stream or specific cancer, age group, area, discipline or movement. When you join COSA, you can opt in to any number of Groups to reflect your specific interests in COSA. More: bit.ly/3emnboq
Read More >COSAoncology 2 days ago
RT by @cosaoncology: A great interview with #DickonHayne & @normanswan about @ANZUPtrials #BCGMM trial & @BelowTheBeltANZ study #SUBDUE1 @SpinnakerHRF #SouthMetropolitanHealthService @AstraZeneca @TrialsCentre @MSD_Aus #OmegaPharm @CancerAustralia @CancerAustralia @Prof_IanD abc.net.au/listen/program…
Read More >COSAoncology 2 days ago
Earlybird registration for the 2024 COSA CPG Education Course closes Friday 19 April 2024. Register today and save – not a COSA member? Join COSA and make further savings! bit.ly/3aNqaSr
Read More >COSAoncology 3 days ago
These steps show how to renew your COSA membership. Don't forget 2023 member rates are available for your 2024-25 membership until 30 April 2024! Start by logging in: bit.ly/4cI0nc3
Read More >COSAoncology 7 days ago
Make the most of your COSA membership savings! A discount applies if you’re a member of an Affiliated or Associated organisation. Plus - join before 30 April 2024 to get a saving on member rates before they increase for 2024. bit.ly/44ns3Oq
Read More >COSAoncology 9 days ago
Join COSA, the national multidisciplinary community for health care professionals working in cancer care. Get involved and make a difference in cancer care through collaboration, research, advocacy and education: bit.ly/3hXsDLm
Read More >COSAoncology 9 days ago
RT by @cosaoncology: Two great conferences come together... 🚨 Mark your 🗓️ - March 6-7 2025, Melbourne for the National 🇦🇺 @COSAoncology #Cancer #Survivorship Conference! 🗣️🦘🐨 #survonc #supponc
Read More >COSAoncology 9 days ago
RT by @cosaoncology: 🗓️ SAVE THE DATE FOR #TROGASM2025! Join us in Brisbane next March for the 2025 #TROGCancerResearch Annual Scientific Meeting. More details and speakers to be announced so stay tuned!
Read More >COSAoncology 10 days ago
RT by @cosaoncology: Looking forward to facilitating this important topic - survivorship care to support people with treatable but not curable cancer. Open to medical, nursing, allied health professionals, and people affected by cancer. Register here: cnsa.org.au/events/event/m… @UTS_Health @UTS_CST
Read More >COSAoncology 11 days ago
Join or renew your COSA membership before 30 April 2024 to get bonus months of membership and a saving! bit.ly/3hXsDLm
Read More >