#ASTRO24 Advance reg rates, Social Champions, Public comments

August 7, 2024

ASTRO 2024: Pick your registration package and plan your experience now
	Not registered? Make plans now to join us in person in Washington, DC, or virtually for ASTRO 2024 — the premier radiation oncology event in the world! Full conference registration packages include the weekend PRO Program and the Meeting onDemand! Start planning your schedule and get ready to network and collaborate with your radiation oncology peers! Register by August 15 to save!

 

Call for Volunteers: #ASTRO24 Social Champions!

ASTRO seeks volunteers to serve as Social Champions during the Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Social Champions are social media ambassadors on X, Instagram or LinkedIn. You will share the important science, education and social events you experience during #ASTRO24. This is a great way to showcase different facets of radiation oncology and help other attendees learn about sessions they may have missed. Fill out the application form by COB Friday, August 23, and the final group selected will be notified the week of September 9.

 

Reminder: Apply for 2024-2026 Leadership Pathway Program by August 14

The Leadership Pathway Program aims to enhance the career advancement of a new generation of diverse leaders. The two-year program includes activities specifically designed to increase awardees’ knowledge of ASTRO’s governance structure, expand their networks through assignments to an ASTRO Council, and augment their leadership skills. Submit your application by August 14!

 

Apply to join task force for guideline on Hodgkin Lymphoma

ASTRO is initiating a task force to develop the first ASTRO guideline on Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma. ASTRO strives to avoid bias and to assemble diverse task forces with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, experience, practice setting and geographic location. To expand the pool of potential task force members, interested members may apply for consideration or forward this information to any colleagues that may be interested. The application deadline is September 2.

 

DVH compendium open for public comment

As a part of a federal contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, ASTRO has developed an extensive list of DVH constraints for targets and organs at risk for six disease sites: lung, head and neck, breast, prostate, rectal, and liver. ASTRO requests feedback via public comment on DVH recommended and aspirational treatment planning goals. Please review and submit comments for one or more disease sites via the webform through August 20. As a reminder, ASTRO is also seeking feedback on the draft Radiopharmaceutical Radiation Therapy Safety White Paper by August 18.

 

RO-ILS is accepting physicist applicants for RO-HAC

Calling all medical physicists — are you interested in serving on the Radiation Oncology Healthcare Advisory Council (RO-HAC) for RO-ILS? Apply today! RO-HAC reviews and analyzes the data submitted to RO-ILS and develops education for the community. Applications to join this small, elite group of safety experts will be accepted through September 10. For questions, email RO-ILS.

 

Representative Hillary Scholten visits Lacks Cancer Center

On July 31, Jennifer Novak, MD, led Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) on a tour of Lacks Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to learn more about the bipartisan ROCR Act and the value that radiation oncology brings to cancer patients. ASTRO members are highly encouraged to work with ASTRO staff to host congressional clinic tours to advance radiation oncology’s priorities in Congress.

 

ASTRO responds to congressional RFI on Cures 2.0

On August 1, ASTRO sent a response to a congressional Request for Information (RFI) on ways to fully realize the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act and Cures 2.0 by focusing on ways to modernize coverage and access to life-saving cures. ASTRO’s response focused on five key areas: stable physician payment, increased funding for cancer research, curbing prior authorization abuse, access to new technologies, and standardized data. ASTRO also signed on to the Cancer Leadership Council’s response to the RFI. For more information, please see What’s Happening in Washington.

 

New on the ASTROblog: Medicare coverage for dental services for H&N cancer patients

As a general rule, Medicare does not cover dental services, except in limited circumstances. The 2024 MPFS final rule details scenarios in which Medicare will now cover dental services that are medically necessary for patients undergoing covered treatments. This expansion of coverage for dental services is a significant step toward improving the care of patients with head and neck cancers. Read more on the details of the new policy and what needs to be in place to work collaboratively with dental providers.