The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) is the peak national body representing multidisciplinary health professionals whose work encompasses cancer control and care. COSA members are doctors, nurses, scientists and allied health professionals involved in the clinical care of cancer patients. COSA is the only organisation that provides a perspective on cancer control activity in Australia from those who deliver treatment and care services across all disciplines. COSA is affiliated with and provides medical and scientific advice to Cancer Council Australia.
Vision - Quality multidisciplinary cancer care for all.
Mission - To improve cancer care and control through collaboration.
COSA achieves this by:
- supporting the professional and educational needs of cancer health professionals
- enhancing cancer care and control through network development
- advocating for improvements in cancer care and control
- facilitating research across the spectrum of cancer
COSA members formed the multidisciplinary Complementary and Integrative Therapies Interest Group to respond to a broad range of issues associated with use of complementary and alternative medicines in Australia, including the need for information, guidelines for practice, specific issues in oncology and management of unconventional treatments.
The interest group welcomes communication with likeminded bodies throughout the world interested in all aspects of CAM and integrative therapies in oncology settings.
Position statement on the use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients
A multidisciplinary national working party chaired by Dr Lesley Braun (Monash University, Melbourne) has developed a position statement for health professionals treating cancer patients who choose to or are contemplating to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
The Position Statement is available here.
Research Activity Survey
The interest group has conducted and online survey to ascertain levels of research activity investigating CAM and integrative therapies in Australian oncology settings and is happy to share the finding and methodology (Survey Monkey) with any interested person or professional body.
