Scientific program
Session Key:
| Pre-Congress Workshop |
Plenary Session |
Parallel Session |
Free Papers Session |
Industry Symposium |
Thursday, October 8, 2026
| 09:30-12:30 |
Pre-Congress Workshop 1:
Breast imaging workshop: Strengths, limitations and personalisation in breast imaging |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Presenters |
Alison Rose, Melbourne, Australia
Bruce Mann, Melbourne, Australia |
| 09:30-11:00 |
Interactive multidisciplinary case discussion:
A practical, imaging-based multidisciplinary session exploring real-world cases, controversies, and clinical decision-making. |
| 11:00-11:20 |
Coffee Break |
| 11:20-12:30 |
Learning objectives:
- Understand the strengths and limitations of mammography, DBT, ultrasound, MRI, and CEM
- Apply breast density and individual risk factors to screening and surveillance decisions
- Identify when supplemental imaging is appropriate
- Review a practical framework for personalised screening pathways
Q&A |
| 09:30-12:30 |
Pre-Congress Workshop 2:
The expanding role of genetic testing in breast cancer: Therapeutic, surgical and surveillance implications
|
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| Chairperson |
Maree Colosimo, Brisbane, Australia |
| 09:30-11:00 |
- Mainstream genetic testing and therapeutic implications
Annabel Goodwin, Sydney, Australia
- Surgical considerations in the context of expanded genetic testing
Caroline Baker, Melbourne, Australia
- Imaging considerations following genetic testing
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| 11:00-11:20 |
Coffee Break |
| 11:20-12:30 |
- Reflections from a consumer advocate
Robyn Smith, Canberra, Australia
- Case-based discussion
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| 09:30-12:30 |
Pre-Congress Workshop 3:
Treating the extremes: Optimising management of the youngest and oldest breast cancer patients |
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| Chairpersons |
Sanjeev Kumar, Sydney, Australia
Susan Carroll, Sydney, Australia |
| 09:30-11:00 |
- Contemporary management of young women with breast cancer
Belinda Yeo, Melbourne, Australia
- Nuances of treating older women
Michael Krasovitsky, Sydney, Australia
- Radiation oncology perspective
Susan Carroll, Sydney, Australia
|
| 11:00-11:20 |
Coffee Break |
| 11:20-12:30 |
- Surgical perspective
Susannah Graham, Sydney, Australia
- Case-based discussions
|
| 09:30-12:30 |
Pre-Congress Workshop 4:
The art of communication: Hope, honesty and hard conversations |
Hall D
(Room F1) |
| Chairperson |
Jennifer Gilchrist, Sydney, Australia |
| Panel: |
Angela Allen, Brisbane, Australia
Belinda Kiely, Sydney, Australia
Brienne Abussi, Brisbane, Australia |
| 09:30-11:00 |
Program description: This interactive workshop, based on the HEARSAY communication skills program developed by SHORE-C, will explore how clinicians approach some of the most challenging conversations in cancer care. Using patient quotes, facilitated discussion and practical exercises, participants will reflect on how they discuss prognosis, treatment planning, palliative care, advance care planning and clinical uncertainty. The session will focus on clear, compassionate communication, avoiding assumptions, using language patients can understand, and balancing honesty with hope. |
| 11:00-11:20 |
Coffee Break |
| 11:20-12:30 |
continued. |
| 14:00-15:00 |
Industry Symposium
|
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| Chairperson |
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| 15:00-15:15 |
Congress Opening |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons: |
Bruce Mann, Melbourne, Australia
Caroline Baker, Melbourne, Australia
Peter Chin, Tauranga, New Zealand
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Welcome to Country |
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Welcome from Congress chairpersons |
| 15:15-17:00 |
Plenary Session 1:
Neoadjuvant therapy |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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15:15-15:55
15:15
15:30
15:45 |
Debate: That cT1cN0 TNBC should have Neoadj CT and IO
Yes: Kevin Kalinsky, Atlanta, GA, USA
No: Alistair Ring, London, UK
Discussion |
| 15:55-16:15 |
Didactic: How best to monitor a patient during neoadjuvant therapy
Elizabeth Morris, Davis, CA, USA |
16:15-17:00
16:15
16:30
16:45
16:55 |
Debate: That patients with pN+ luminal cancer who are ypN0 after NAST should receive regional nodal radiotherapy
Yes: Yvonne Zissiadis, Perth, Australia
No: Naamit Gerber, New York, NY, USA
Discussion
Consumer perspective |
| 17:00-18:00 |
Networking Reception (in exhibition area) |
Friday, October 9, 2026
| 07:30-08:30 |
Morning Industry Symposium:
Supported by Veracyte
Please note breakfast will be served prior to the session. at 07:00 |
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| 07:30-08:30 |
Morning Industry Symposium:
|
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| 08:30-09:30 |
Parallel Session 2:
Screening |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 08:30-08:55 |
Didactic: Risk adjusted screening – what might it look like?
Carolyn Nickson, Sydney, Australia |
| 08:55-09:10 |
Didactic: The future of post-breast cancer surveillance
Julia Matheson, Melbourne, Australia |
| 09:10-09:30 |
Didactic: Artificial intelligence in breast cancer screening
Elizabeth Morris, Davis, CA, USA |
| 08:30-09:30 |
Parallel Session 3:
Fear of cancer recurrence |
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| Chairpersons |
Ben Smith, Sydney, Australia
Lesley Stafford, Melbourne, Australia
|
| 08:30-08:40 |
Addressing fear of cancer recurrence in practice: From evidence to everyday care
Ben Smith, Sydney, Australia |
| 08:40-08:55 |
Adapting a clinician-led fear of cancer recurrence intervention for breast cancer patients (CIFeR) for people living with advanced cancer
Howard Yu, Sydney, Australia |
| 08:55-09:10 |
Recommendations from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women diagnosed with breast cancer for improved fear of cancer recurrence care
Mackenzie Rhodes, Newcastle, Australia |
| 09:10-09:30 |
Panel discussion, including consumer representative |
| 08:30-09:30 |
Industry Symposium:
Supported by Lilly
|
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| 09:30-11:00 |
Plenary Session 4:
Genetics |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 09:30-09:50 |
Didactic: Panel testing in early breast cancer: Who, when and why?
Annabel Goodwin, Sydney, Australia |
| 09:50-10:30
09:50
10:05
10:20 |
Debate: That Breast-Conserving Surgery is an appropriate recommendation for most patients with high-penetrance germline mutations
Yes: Michael Boland, Dublin, Ireland
No: Shelley Potter, Bristol, UK
Discussion |
| 10:30-10:50 |
Didactic: Management of ovaries/fallopian tubes in gene carriers – what to do and when to do it?
Amy Tang, Brisbane, Australia |
| 10:50-11:00 |
Consumer perspective |
| 11:00-11:30 |
Coffee break, poster viewing and exhibition visit |
| 11:30-12:30 |
Parallel Session 5:
Lymphoedema |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 11:30-11:50 |
Surgery for lymphoedema: Prevention and treatment
Satomi Koide, Melbourne, Australia |
| 11:50-12:10 |
Empowering the at-risk patient: Evidence-based strategies for long-term prevention
Jen McKenzie, Sunshine Coast, Australia |
| 12:10-12:30 |
Established lymphoedema treatment: Evidence, myths, and the role of ICG lymphography
Megan Trevathan, Brisbane, Australia |
| 11:30-12:30 |
Industry Symposium:
Supported by AstraZeneca
|
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| 11:30-12:30 |
Parallel Session 6:
Free Papers: Locoregional therapy |
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 12:30-13:30 |
Lunch break, poster viewing and exhibition visit |
| 13:30-14:30 |
Parallel Session 7:
DCIS |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
Steven David, Melbourne, Australia
Caroline Baker, Melbourne,Australia |
13:30-14:00
13:30
13:40
13:50 |
Debate: That genomic assays should be used to help make decisions regarding adjuvant RT for DCIS
Yes: Naamit Gerber, New York, NY, USA
No: Stuart McIntosh, Belfast, Ireland
Discussion |
14:00-14:30
14:00
14:10
14:20 |
Debate: That active surveillance for low risk DCIS is a reasonable option
Yes: Alastair Thompson, Houston, TX, USA
No: Judy Boughey, Rochester, MN, USA
Discussion |
| 13:30-14:30 |
Parallel Session 8:
Triple negative breast cancer
|
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 13:30-13:45 |
Didactic: TNBC subtypes: Do they have clinical significance?
Nirmala Pathmanathan, Sydney, Australia |
13:45-14:30
13:45
14:00
14:15 |
Debate: That all stage 2/3 TNBC patients should be treated according to Keynote522 regimen
Yes: Javier Cortes, Madrid, Spain
No: Alistair Ring, London, UK
Discussion |
| 13:30-14:30 |
Parallel Session 9:
Free Papers: Supportive care |
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 14:30-15:50 |
Plenary Session 10:
Adjuvant endocrine therapy |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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14:30-15:10
14:30
14:45
15:00 |
Debate: That CDK4/6i’s should be recommended for T2N0 ER+HER2- early breast cancer
Yes: Javier Cortes, Madrid, Spain
No: Richard de Boer, Melbourne, Australia
Discussion |
| 15:10-15:35 |
Didactic: Oral SERDS in early breast cancer: where to now?
Kevin Kalinsky, Atlanta, GA, USA |
| 15:35-15:50 |
Didactic: Modern management of hot flushes in breast cancer patients
Belinda Yeo, Melbourne, Australia |
| 15:50-16:10 |
Coffee break, poster viewing and exhibition visit |
| 16:10-17:15 |
Parallel Session 11:
Imaging |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 16:10-16:55 |
Didactic: The role of highly sensitive imaging in the management of early stage breast cancer
Bruce Mann, Melbourne, Australia |
| 16:55-17:15 |
Didactic: How to select which contrast imaging to use
Allison Rose, Melbourne, Australia |
| 16:10-17:15 |
Parallel Session 12:
Metastatic breast cancer |
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| Chairpersons |
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16:10-16:55
16:10
16:25
16:40 |
Debate: That SABR should be considered in most patients with oligometastatic breast cancer
Yes: Steven David, Melbourne, Australia
No: Angela Allen, Brisbane, Australia
Discussion |
| 16:55-17:15 |
Didactic: The role of molecular testing to adapt breast cancer treatment in clinical practice
Alistair Ring, London, UK |
| 16:10-17:15 |
Parallel Session 13:
Supportive care: Management of endocrine therapy side effects |
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 16:10-16:30 |
Brain fog /cognition on breast cancer survivors
Tahnee Downs, Toowoomba, Australia |
| 16:30-16:50 |
“Intimate” toxicities of endocrine therapy
Janine Porter-Steele, Gold Coast, Australia |
| 16:50-17:10 |
Moving through the pain: Optimising bone and muscle health in breast cancer survivorship
Jen McKenzie, Sunshine Coast, Australia |
| 17:10-17:15 |
Discussion |
Saturday, October 10, 2026
| 07:30-08:30 |
Morning Industry Symposium:
Supported by Novartis
Please note breakfast will be served prior to the session. |
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| 07:30-08:30 |
Morning Industry Symposium:
Supported by Prelude
Please note breakfast will be served prior to the session. |
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| 08:30-09:30 |
Parallel Session 14:
Controversies in reconstruction |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 08:30-08:45 |
Didactic: Scaffolds in reconstruction – past, present and future
Owen Ung, Brisbane, Australia |
08:45-09:15
08:45
08:55
09:05 |
Debate: That implant reconstruction should not be performed on patients who require PMRT
Yes: Gillian Lamoury, Sydney, Australia
No: Shelley Potter, Bristol, UK
Discussion |
| 09:15-09:30 |
Didactic: Consumer voice informing the future of breast reconstruction in Australia |
| 08:30-09:30 |
Parallel Session 15:
Survivorship |
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 08:30-08:35 |
Introduction: What matters most to consumers?
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| 08:35-08:50 |
Didactic: Survivorship MoC based around nurse led clinics
Leilani Way, Brisbane, Australia |
| 08:00-09:05 |
Didactic: McGrath model of survivorship care
Kerry Patford, Wangaratta, Australia |
| 09:05-09:20 |
Didactic: Living well with metastatic disease/fear of cancer progression
Marina Reeves, Brisbane, Australia |
| 09:20-09:30 |
Discussion |
| 08:30-09:30 |
Parallel Session 16:
Free Papers: Medical oncology |
Hall C
(Room M1) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 09:30-11:00 |
Plenary Session 17:
Locoregional therapy |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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09:30-10:10
09:30
09:45
10:00 |
Debate: That omission of SNB should be considered for all women >50 with clinically negative axillae
Yes: Alastair Thompson, Houston, TX, USA
No: Stuart McIntosh, Belfast, Ireland
Discussion |
| 10:10-10:30 |
Didactic: Axillary surgery post-neoadjuvant therapy
Judy Boughey, Rochester, MN, USA |
10:30-11:00
10:30
10:40
10:50 |
Debate: That most patients with Stage 2+ early breast cancer should have staging PET/CT
Yes: Nicole McCarthy, Brisbane, Australia
No: Melanie Walker, Brisbane, Australia
Discussion |
| 11:00-11:30 |
Coffee break, poster viewing and exhibition visit |
| 11:30-13:00 |
Parallel Session 18:
Local therapy |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
Caroline Baker, Melbourne, Australia |
11:30-12:00
11:30
11:40
11:50 |
Debate: New intraoperative margin assessment technology will become standard of care
Yes: Caroline MacCallum, Melbourne, Australia
No: Simone Geere, Brisbane, Australia
Discussion |
| 12:00-12:40 |
Breast Conservation: “Radiotherapy for surgeons and oncoplastics for radiation oncologists – everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask! |
| 12:00 |
Didactic: Advanced oncoplastic setting – challenges with RT boost: What RT needs to know
Peter Barry, Sacramento, CA, USA |
| 12:15 |
Didactic: Radiotherapy basics for surgeons and possible boost solutions
Gillian Lamoury, Sydney, Australia |
| 12:30 |
Discussion/Q & A |
| 12:00-12:30 |
Didactic: The future of breast surgery: European perspective
Michael Kerin, Galway, Ireland |
| 11:30-13:00 |
Parallel Session 19:
HER2 positive disease |
Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| Chairpersons |
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| 11:30-11:50 |
Didactic: Role of endocrine therapy in advanced TPBC
Rebecca Moor, Brisbane, Australia |
11:50-12:40
11:50
12:05
12:20 |
Debate: That T-DXd should be included in the neo-adjuvant treatment for higher risk Her2 positive patients
Yes: Catherine Shannon, Brisbane, Australia
No: Sanjeev Kumar, Sydney, Australia
Discussion |
| 12:40-13:00 |
Didactic: Is chemotherapy still necessary in early-stage HER2+ve breast cancer?
Javier Cortes, Madrid, Spain |
| 13:00-14:00 |
Lunch break, poster viewing and exhibition visit |
| 13:10-13:55 |
Lunch Industry Symposium:
Supported by Hologic
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Hall B
(Great Hall 2) |
| 14:00-15:00 |
Plenary Session 20:
Palliative care |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
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14:00-14:40
14:00
14:15
14:30 |
Debate: Is palliative care involvement necessary from initial diagnosis of metastatic disease
Yes: Belinda Kiely, Sydney, Australia
No: Jenny Gilchrist, Sydney, Australia
Discussion |
| 14:40-15:00 |
Medicinal cannabis in advanced cancer: Pot or panacea?
Phillip Good, Brisbane, Australia |
| 15:00-16:15 |
Plenary Session 21:
Breast cancer 2036 |
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
Javier Cortes, Madrid, Spain
Alastair Thompson, Houston, TX, USA
Richard de Boer, Melbourne, Australia |
| 15:00-15:15 |
Early detection in 2036
Elizabeth Morris, Davis, CA, USA |
| 15:15-15:30 |
A pathologist’s view of breast cancer in 2036
Sunil R. Lakhani, Brisbane, Australia |
| 15:30-15:45 |
Locoregional therapy in 2036
Judy Boughey, Rochester, MN, USA |
| 15:45-16:00 |
Systemic therapy in 2036
Kevin Kalinsky, Atlanta, GA, USA |
| 16:00-16:15 |
A consumer’s perspective of breast cancer in 2036
Kirsten Pilatti, Melbourne, Australia |
| 16:15-16:30 |
Congress closing
and Award presentation
|
Hall A
(Great Hall 1) |
| Chairpersons |
Caroline Baker, Melbourne, Australia
Peter Chin, Tauranga, New Zealand
Alastair Thompson, Houstson, TX, USA
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