Our capabilities

After four years on the CAP, including one year as Deputy Chair, we farewelled Milton Kirkwood in July 2024. On behalf of the AGITG, I would like to thank Milton for his immense contribution to the CAP. He brought great wisdom to the group and generously shared his insights into the needs of the patient, family and carers during their cancer journeys. Thank you, Milton.

With Milton’s retirement, we welcomed Jodie Collins as the new Deputy Chair. Jodie joined the CAP in 2023, combining her love for science with her desire to make a difference to people’s lives. Jodie, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in her mid-40s, wishes to see public screening for colorectal cancer implemented at the same scale and as early as what exists for breast cancer, so cases can be caught before reaching Stage 3as hers did.

In 2024, we also welcomed Brooklynn Dowling, John Paduano, Margaret Whitson and Stephen Deed to the CAP. Brooklynn’s dad, Jim, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2021 and sadly passed away in 2023. Brooklynn is determined to make a difference for others and help find answers and better treatments.

John has been supporting the AGITG for years, co-hosting an annual golf day fundraiser at Mollymook Golf Club, to raise funds in memory of his son Alex who sadly passed away from bowel cancer in 2018. John was introduced to AGITG’s work by medical oncologist and AGITG Chair, Professor Lorraine Chantrill, who treated Alex.

Margaret is an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer at the Calvery Mater Hospital in Newcastle and her role is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer patients and their families through their cancer journey. She is a Kamilaroi woman who grew up in the Hunter Valley and is a strong advocate in the community to support early detection and prevention of cancer.

Stephen was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2015 and underwent an extensive surgery and treatment. Stephen is committed to making a difference and helping cancer survivors manage their lives post their treatment.

I would like to welcome our new members and thank all the CAP for dedicating their valuable time and expertise. Your work makes our research more robust, and more relevant and accessible to people with GI cancers.

I would also like to acknowledge the sad passing of former AGITG CEO, Russell Conley. Russell played a vital role in establishing the CAP and ensuring researchers valued the CAP's patient-centred approach. Russell dedicated his life to improving outcomes for people with GI cancer and he has left an indelible mark on this organisation and its mission. We will all miss him dearly.

The CAP plays an integral role in the process of reviewing new trial ideas and studies that will help improve patient outcomes.

In 2024, CAP members helped in the review process of many trials and concepts, including:

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1. Trial results lay summaries:

• GENESCREEN-5FU Trial Results Lay Summary
• MONARCC Trial Results Lay Summary
• MODULATE Trial Results Lay Summary
• TOPGEAR Trial Results Lay Summary

2. Concepts:

• Adjuvant IO (March UGIWP)
• ATTMAN
• ENRICH (September UGIWP)
• LSTA (UGIWP)
• MOSAIC (September LGIWP)
• Neo-GOLSTA
• OPTIC (March LGIWP)
• PREDICT 5FU mCRC (March LGIWP)
• REAL-CRC
• RESECO (March LGIWP)
• STOMA-PATH
• TARget-NEN (March UGIWP)

3. Meetings held with investigators following concept review:

• Neo-GOLSTA
• STOMA-PATH

4. Participant Information and Consent Form (PICF) reviews:

• BIL-PPP PICF
• INTEGRATE IIb PICF
• MR-STAR PICF
• Neo-POLEM PICF
• PemOla PICF

I would like to congratulate the CAP for their unwavering commitment to help advance new treatment options that will improve outcomes for people with GI cancer.