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Week 1
Comprehensive Overview of Colorectal Cancer:
From Screening and Detection, to Treatment, Psychosocial
Care, and Patient Advocacy.
DAY 1: Monday, May 5th 2025
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Day 1 Welcome & Opening
Filomena Servidio-Italiano, Hon B.Sc., B.Ed., M.A., President & CEO, CCRAN
Cassandra Macaulay, RTNM, MHS Chief Research Officer, CCRAN
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
About Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Clarence Wong, MD, FRCPC, CAGF, Professor and Director, Div. of Gastroenterology, Dept. of Medicine, University of Alberta
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Clarence Wong, MD, FRCPC, CAGF Professor and Director, Div. of Gastroenterology, Dept. of Medicine, University of Alberta
11:45 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Health Break
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Radiotherapeutic Management of Primary Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Kristopher Dennis, MD FRCPC PhD
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch Break
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Imaging in Colorectal Cancer: PET, CT, and MRI Explained
Dr. Claudia Ortega, MD, Staff Radiologist Abdominal and Molecular Imaging Divisions, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, UMIC. UHN-MSH-WCH. Assitant Professor University of Toronto.
2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Genetics and Colorectal Cancer: Understanding Hereditary Syndromes
Sonya Grewal, MSc, CCGC; Genetic Counsellor, Outpatient & Community Services Centre (OSC), Clinical Genetics, North York General Hospital
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks. Glance at Day 2
Cassandra Macaulay, RTNM, MHS Chief Research Officer, CCRAN
DAY 2: Tuesday, May 6th 2025
9:30 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.
Day 2 Welcome & Opening
Cassandra Macaulay, RTNM, MHS Chief Research Officer, CCRAN
9:35 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.
Medical Treatment of Earlier Stage Disease
Dr. Abdulazeez Salawu, MBBS, MSc, MRCP(UK), PhD Staff Medical Oncologist, Mount Sinai Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto; Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Toronto
10:35 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
A Guide to Ostomy Care & Management
Britney Butt, RN, MClSc, WOCC(C) Certified Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse, Keck Medicine of USC
11:35 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
Health Break
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Cultural Competence in Cancer Care
Speaker TBD
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Coping Skills for the Colorectal Cancer Journey
Dr. Mary Jane Esplen, PhD Professor, Psychosocial Oncology, University of Toronto
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Caring for the Carer: Managing Compassion Fatigue
Dr. Mary Jane Esplen, PhD; Professor, Psychosocial Oncology, University of Toronto
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Surgical Management of Primary Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Shady Ashamalla, MSc, MD, FRCSC; Surgical oncologist, Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre; Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks. Glance at Day 3. Thank You.
Cassandra Macaulay, RTNM, MHS Chief Research Officer, CCRAN
DAY 3: Wednesday, May 7th 2024
9:30 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.
Day 3 Opening
Cassandra Macaulay, RTNM, MHS Chief Research Officer, CCRAN
9:35 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.
Biomarkers in the Management of Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Aaron Pollett, MD, FRCPC, MSc; Provincial Head, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Program, Ontario Health - Cancer Care Ontario (OH-CCO); Anatomic Pathologist & Co-Director, Mount Sinai Hospital; Associate Professor, University of Toronto
10:35 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
The Medical Management of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Monika K. Krzyzanowska, MD, MPH, FRCPC, FASCO Medical Oncologist, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre; Chief, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre; Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto
11:35 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Health Break
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Inclusive Cancer Care for the Sexual and Gender Diverse Community
Kim Meeking, MRes, BSc Co-lead for Queering Cancer
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Patient Advocacy in Cancer Care: Why It Matters and How to Take Action
Lauren Poplak VP, Empower Advocacy
Joanne Koskie CEO, Empower Advocacy
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Interventional Radiology Treatments for Metastatic Disease
Dr. Elizabeth David, MD, FRCPC Vascular Interventional Radiologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks. Glance at Day 4. Thank You.
Cassandra Macaulay, RTNM, MHS Chief Research Officer, CCRAN
