Young Oncologists Networking Evening 2016

Getting to know each other is the best first step on the way to making a difference together!

150 young oncologists (YO) met for a special networking evening at the Restaurant Sult in central Copenhagen on Saturday 8 October, during the ESMO 2016 Congress.

The YO networking evening has in the past years become a much appreciated occasion for YOs to get together in an informal, relaxed and pleasant environment as a fantastic opportunity to meet with friends and colleagues from all over the world and most importantly, establish new connections. This year a record number of 28 countries were represented – mainly from Europe, but we also had the pleasure of welcoming YOs from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, India and Japan.

The evening was co-hosted with ESMO YOC (Young Oncologists Committee) by the local Danish societies DSKO (Danish Society for Clinical Oncology) and FYO (Danish Young Oncologists Association) represented by Laurids Poulsen, FYO chair and member of ESMO YOC – ESMO would like to thank DSKO and FYO for the collaboration in making this evening possible.

Chair of the DSKO and local host of ESMO 2016 Congress, Ulrik Lassen joined the YOs along with representatives of the ESMO Executive Board, President Fortunato Ciardiello, Andres Cervantes, ESMO 2016 Scientific chair, Josep Tabernereo, ESMO President-Elect and mentor to the ESMO YO Committte, as well as ESMO CEO Keith McGregor.

The interest in attending was very high and we apologise to all that we were not able to include due to limited space, despite the fact that the number was increased by 50% this year. We hope to be able to allow an even higher number to attend next year.

A big thank you from the organisers to everyone who came along and participated in making the evening so special. We are looking forward to welcoming you again during the ESMO 2017 in Madrid!

About the Young Oncologists Association in Denmark – Foreningen af Yngre Onkologer (FYO)

The Young Oncologists Association (FYO) is a society of young Danish clinical oncologists, primarily physicians in training. At present, the society has 285 members. FYO was founded in 1983 by a group of young oncologists, with the aim of creating an association that would represent the young doctors in oncology, strengthen the specialist training and working environment and offer relevant courses for the young doctors training to be oncologists.

In Denmark, the medical specialty of Clinical Oncology encompasses both Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology. In 2006, FYO initiated a study of the psychological working environment among young doctors in oncology departments in Denmark. The study brought attention to several problems of the working environment of young doctors. New studies in 2009 and 2014 have shown that the necessary improvements have been applied following the 2006 study.

FYO works to ensure a proficient specialist training, working in partnership with the Danish Society of Clinical Oncology (DSKO) board as well as the education committee, both of which includes representatives from FYO. The committee determines the conditions for the specialist training and is responsible for revising the objectives, the professional profile and the planning of courses for clinical oncologist in training.

Furthermore, FYO is part of the recruitment committee when specialist training positions are available, and organises yearly meetings for the Education Coordinating Young Doctors of all oncology departments to ensure a national network that will inspire further educational initiatives locally.

FYO organises several courses and meetings, such as after-work meetings held locally at the departments (if possible in collaboration with young doctors from other specialties and involving local teachers) and residential courses or day meetings on specific topics. FYO also collaborates with Danish medical student associations with an interest in oncology, promoting research among medical students, as well as broaden the knowledge and interest in the oncology specialty.

More information about the FYO can be found here
Facebook: FYO – Foreningen af Yngre Onkologer

About the Danish Society for Clinical Oncology – Dansk Selskab for Klinisk Onkologi (DSKO)

DSKO is a scientific society created in 2004 and representing all doctors in the field of clinical oncology which encompasses both medical and radiation oncology. At the moment there are 443 members. Clinical Oncology comprises non-surgical treatment and follow-up on cancer deceases – such as radiation, chemo therapy, hormone therapy, targeted biological treatment, immune therapy, personalized medicine, palliative treatment and terminal care. The primary aim of the society is to promote the development of clinical oncology and to further conditions for education and research in clinical oncology. DSKO has representatives in several councils and boards. At the annual meeting in March/April both scientific and health policy issues are discussed. The meeting is an opportune occasion to meet colleagues from other parts of Denmark. Through the education committee, DSKO is responsible for the theoretical part of the clinical oncology training for physicians in specialist training.

More information about the DSKO can be found here

About ESMO YOC

The ESMO Young Oncologists Committee (YOC) was created in 2001 as a dedicated committee of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). The YOC provides opportunities to strengthen YO’s skills, knowledge and expertise, while providing a platform for networking with other medical oncologists and oncology professionals.

ESMO defines YOs as oncologists under the age of 40, due to the differences in the length of official oncology training programs across Europe. The YOC is headed by a chairperson appointed by the ESMO Executive Board, and currently has 13 committee members. An important part of the educational offer of the YOC is the creation of the YO Track at the ESMO Annual Congress which was launched at the 2002 ESMO Congress. The YO Track has since become a genuine classic in every ESMO Congress, with popular activities such as the YO Masterclass, Breakfast Sessions and Forum and also the Vesalius cocktail launched in 2008. 

The YOC are continually establishing new projects, past achievements include the ESMO Handbook of Oncological Emergencies in 2005 which launched the Handbook Series, an internet based Journal Club with review and comments on scientific articles and the Image of the Month collection inviting readers to test their diagnosis skills. In 2012 and 2013, the YOC carried out European-wide data collections, the first on the treatment of NSCLC and the second related to the level of burn-out in young oncologists. Both surveys resulted in abstract presentations during the annual congress, with the burn-out related presentation gaining high interest and press coverage at the 2014 ESMO Congress.

In 2003, the YOC developed the Translational Research Unit (TRU) Visits, which are educational events for young oncologists that provide crucial and practical information about the conduct of translational research at leading European Research Centres, a very popular activity which is now an established part of ESMO’s Fellowship Programme. The YOC has a Facebook group with close to 2000 members which invites YOs worldwide to network and share ideas.

About the Venue

The Café and Restaurant Sult is named after Danish film director Henning Carlsen's famous classic, "Hunger" from 1966 and shares the ground floor with the cinematheque at the Danish Film Institute, situated in the heart of Copenhagen. Served in a cosy and laid-back atmosphere, the food at Sult is simple, straightforward, surprising, healthy and full of flavour, prepared with a dash of daring. Insisting on quality, originality and honesty we choose fresh seasonal produce, preferably organic and locally grown. 

Restaurant SULT
Vognmagergade 8 B
1120 Copenhagen K.
Phone 0045 33 74 34 17
restaurantsult.dk