Where have all the doctors gone?

Each year at the end of May, beginning of June many of the UK's cancer specialist doctors, and a fair number of the nurses, head off to the US to attend one of the world's biggest cancer conferences. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (or ASCO as it's generally known) meeting is huge. It attracts specialists from all over the world. So if you're wondering where your consultant is, or why you can't contact your specialist nurse, there's every chance that they are in Chicago for a few days. I should just add here that your specialist will have a made sure that while they are away there is cover from other members of the medical team. You might not be able to see the consultant specifically, but you will be able to see someone.

Conferences like ASCO are a great way for our cancer specialists to share information about treatment and care, and to network with others working with people affected by cancer. They usually take place over a few days, in which many different specialists will present research data from all sorts of trials, and update their colleagues and peers on the latest breakthroughs in care. As well as sessions to share info, conferences like ASCO usually involve an exhibition where the main drug and equipment companies have stands. Sometimes described as a 'market place', the companies present their 'wares' along with research data to back up their claims.

There are quite a few different conferences throughout the year. Many of them concentrate on one particular area of care - breast cancer, for example. ASCO is probably the biggest and attracts tens of thousands of people. I was lucky enough to attend a few years ago in Chicago and found it all quite over-whelming. The exhibition centre in Chicago is vast and on one occasion I had a 20 minute (brisk) walk between sessions! With so much on offer it was difficult to decide what to try and see and what to leave out. Sessions start early - before breakfast - and go on well into the evening. The first couple of days I was there I ran around frantically trying to take in as much as possible. I developed increased arm muscles trying to carry all the handouts and research papers that are available. I think I worked harder than I'd done in years. I then (through exhaustion) slowed down a bit and concentrated on a few different areas - I couldn't do it all. I guess the more often you attend ASCO the easier it gets.

As well as the conference there are a variety of evening functions, where people can let their hair down. But these events are a very necessary part of the whole experience. They're great for networking, but they also help to maintain sanity - and everyone has to eat sometime!

So, if you've been unable to get an appointment with your specialist over the last few days or so because they've been "at a conference", don't assume they've been swanning off on a bit of a jaunt. They've probably been 'frantically running around' like I did, trying to get as much info as possible...