ASTRO’s annual meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21-24 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. In advance of the show, HealthCare Business News spoke with ASTRO president Dr. Paul Harari to get some insight on his background, what’s going on with the association and oncology, and what to expect at this year’s show.

HCB News: What inspired you to get involved in healthcare?
Dr. Paul Harari: Dreams of being a professional baseball player as a kid faded away after tearing my rotator cuff while pitching in college and realizing a baseball career was not going to happen. Medicine seemed a natural fit, as I greatly enjoyed biology and physics in college. Medical school opened up my passion to care for patients with significant illnesses. Early in residency, recognizing that we could provide cancer patients a chance for cure or meaningful palliation to improve their quality of life attracted me to oncology.

HCB News: How long have you been a member of ASTRO and why did you join?
PH: I joined ASTRO as a first-year resident in radiation oncology training and have not missed an annual meeting in 32 years since then. ASTRO serves as a cornerstone of activity and information for clinical advances, cancer research, education and health policy. ASTRO also provides a remarkable network for professionals interested in the field of radiation oncology around the world to connect.

HCB News: What initiatives do you plan to champion as president of the association?
PH: It is vitally important for us to illuminate the tremendous power and precision of radiation to heal, cure, image and improve human health and quality of life. With the 60th anniversary of ASTRO in 2018, the October annual meeting highlights the enormous capability of radiation oncology to deliver cancer cure and palliation now and into the future. Translating cutting edge research discoveries into opportunities for cure is a theme to be highlighted this year.

HCB News: What are the biggest uncertainties or challenges in radiation oncology today?
PH: A significant challenge, as well as opportunity, for disciplines like radiation oncology is that the body of knowledge changes very rapidly. New cancer treatments and techniques are emerging at a record pace and practitioners are always searching for the best way to stay abreast of the latest developments that may be beneficial to their cancer patients.

HCB News: Is radiation oncology facing any difficulty with having enough professionals entering the field?
PH: Radiation oncology has been among the most competitive specialties for medical students to enter over the last decade. We have plenty of young professionals highly interested in entering radiation oncology. The challenge involves the optimal geographic distribution with urban and suburban centers being very well served, whereas many rural regions have significant challenges attracting radiation oncology practitioners.

HCB News: Are there any recent developments in the field you’re particularly excited about?
PH: The field of radiation oncology continues to become more precise and increasingly team-oriented. Advances in the technological precision of radiation delivery are allowing higher doses to be delivered to tumors with reduced dose to surrounding normal tissues. Cancer specialists are increasingly working more effectively as teams, where minimally-invasive surgery, radiation and drugs are often combined to increase cure rates. Multidisciplinary care that aligns the expertise of dedicated specialists together is very powerful to help shape the most effective cancer treatment approach for each individual patient.

HCB News: How much discussion is there about the role or potential of AI in oncology?
PH: AI is squarely on the radar in virtually every medical specialty. There are fantastic opportunities emerging with AI to further enhance the field of radiation oncology. We have many brilliant medical physicists highly engaged in this space currently. For example, how might we more efficiently and precisely contour all the normal tissue structures adjacent to tumors on hundreds of diagnostic images for each patient? This can be a time-consuming process at radiation treatment centers around the world. New opportunities for advancing these and other AI efforts are increasingly on display at our meetings, including the October 2018 ASTRO Annual Meeting in San Antonio.

HCB News: Can you talk about some of the things you feel are the highlights of the upcoming ASTRO conference?
PH: Discovery Science takes center stage at the 2018 ASTRO Annual Meeting, as highlighted by the Presidential Symposium, where we will explore four major themes that have the potential to dramatically impact cancer care and radiation oncology in the future. These game-changers include Immunotherapy/Radiotherapy Interactions, Viral-Induced Cancers, Artificial Intelligence and Liquid Biopsies. A powerful lineup of exceptionally talented speakers will illuminate the science and potential clinical applications in each of these exciting areas.
The 60th annual ASTRO meeting will highlight several practice-changing clinical trials that will impact cancer care around the world almost immediately. Look in particular for powerful new clinical trial results that will come forth in head and neck cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.

The Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Dr. Ned Sharpless will provide a high profile Keynote Address that will illuminate current and future visions for the NCI.

Community oncologists will find a valuable new program at the 2018 ASTRO meeting that provides valuable tips and practice approaches to assist in their daily cancer practice.

And these highlights only scratch the surface for ASTRO’s 60th Annual Meeting in San Antonio this October. We encourage HCB News readers to follow the meeting online using the hashtag #ASTRO18.

HCB News: Is there any advice you can offer for someone looking to join ASTRO?
PH: Join now, even while you are a medical student with a developing interest in the field of oncology. This early glimpse into the world of cancer research and clinical care will capture your enthusiasm and engage your professional interest for a lifetime.

HCB News: Can you give your prediction as to how you think radiation oncology will change over the next 10 years?
PH: During the next 10 years, radiation oncology will be characterized by even greater precision, increased cure rates, diminished side effects, more effective and durable palliation, increased cost effectiveness and an expanding role in the multidisciplinary world of cancer care.