National Comprehensive Cancer Network postpones conference due to COVID-19 concerns
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National Comprehensive Cancer Network postponed its annual conference in response to concerns about the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
NCCN’s annual conference was scheduled to take place March 19-22 in Orlando.
The organization released a statement that indicated the postponement is intended to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, as well as to ensure the safety of attendees and their patients.
“The health and safety of our attendees and the patients they take care of is our number one concern,” Robert W. Carlson, MD, CEO of NCCN said in the statement. “This was an incredibly difficult and disappointing decision to have to make. However, our conference attendees work to save the lives of immunocompromised people every day,” he added. “It’s our responsibility, in an abundance of caution, to safeguard them from any potential exposure to COVID-19.”
This year would have marked the 25th anniversary of NCCN Annual Conference. Representatives of the organization decided to postpone the conference after consulting with infectious disease experts.
“We have a moral and professional obligation to do what we can individually and collectively to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” Ronald S. Walters, MD, MBA, MHA, chair of NCCN’s board of directors and a breast medical oncologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, said in the statement. “Under the current circumstances, due diligence means thoughtfully curtailing any nonessential travel or gatherings for people across the oncology care ecosystem."
NCCN staff are notifying those who registered for the conference about the postponement and will provide them with information about the conference fee refund process. Questions regarding the postponement can be sent to conferences@nccn.org.
There are a number of high-profile scientific meetings that will be held over the next several months, including the American Society of Hematology's Annual Meeting and Exposition, which will take place in San Diego.
“At this time we don’t have plans to postpone the 62nd ASH Annual Meeting in December, but we will continue to actively monitor the situation to ensure the health and safety of ASH members and attendees," Martha Liggett, Esq., executive director of ASH, told Healio.
In related news, reports have begun to emerge about a number of institutions placing restrictions on employee travel.
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo has prohibited international work-related travel for all employees, volunteers and students until further notice. Center leadership also has discouraged international travel outside of North America for any purpose other than its employees who live in Canada and commute to work.
Meanwhile, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center cancelled all domestic and international business travel for its employees through April 29. Officials will re-evaluate the restriction at a later date and lift the ban “when there is clear evidence that the global public health emergency is abated,” according to a statement.
Institution representatives recommend the use of remote collaboration tools — such as Skype and WebEx — to conduct meetings when possible.
“[Our patients with cancer] are uniquely vulnerable to coronavirus. For this reason, we are committing to increased workforce precautions,” Peter W.T. Pisters, MD, president of MD Anderson, said in the statement. “By limiting our exposure to known and probable risks associated with the spread COVID-19 — namely travel-related exposure and large gatherings — we hope to contribute to our nation’s containment of this disease.” – by Drew Amorosi