By Claudia Barrett, Specialist in Member Engagement and Recognition
At the Society, we’re always looking for ways to support our members’ diverse professional interests and specializations. That’s why we’re delighted to announce the creation of two new special interest groups (SIGs): one that focuses on Endocrine Cancers, and the other on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs).
Our new SIGs, launched in late January 2022, join four existing SIGs that we stood up in 2019. These focus on Adrenal Pituitary, Transgender Research and Medicine, Entrepreneurship, and Early Career topics.
These inaugural SIGs were created upon the recommendations of our Board of Directors. Our latest entrants, we’re happy to note, were developed at the request of our membership. We take this as a sign of success! Our SIGs have become a focal point for members to gather and discuss crucial endocrine topics of interest.
The SIGs, in fact, have become one of our most popular member benefits. If you’re not already a member, we encourage you to join!
But how did we settle on endocrine cancers and EDCs? These topics were revealed in a needs assessment survey that we conducted with members to gather your input. Let’s take a look at the new SIGs:
Endocrine Cancers SIG: A Place to Raise Questions, Address Issues
Our needs assessment uncovered a strong desire for a SIG to address the management of patients with endocrine cancers. The field is ripe for discussion, as many unsettled issues surround these cancers.
Chief among them is the fact that clinical management guidelines on endocrine cancers haven’t been standardized. Other issues have been raised regarding the few therapies approved to treat such cancers.
Outstanding questions include which therapeutic approach to use; how long to continue treatment; and in what subgroup of patients should a particular treatment option be applied? At the same time, a need exists to better assess survival predictions and establish tumor classification methods that contain more accurate clinical prognostic values.
A key goal of this SIG is to improve management and care of patients with endocrine cancers. The group plans to tackle this charge by promoting collaborations among basic, translational science and clinicians.
Leading the charge will be SIG chair Jaydira Del Rivero, MD, Assistant Research Physician, NIH Center for Cancer Research. Upcoming webinars will explore issues around:
The Endocrine Cancers SIG is prioritizing basic and translational science by expanding the steering group to include more basic science members who can recruit basic science faculty to speak at webinars. The SIG also plans to utilize Endocrine News magazine and podcast to cover basic and clinical issues relating to endocrine tumors.
EDCs SIG: Place to Develop Advocacy Messages, Discuss Solutions to Growing Problem
Another key area of need centers on ways to address the growing proliferation of EDCs.
While EDCs have long been a priority topic at the Society, our new EDCs SIG will provide additional focus on this urgent issue, with an eye towards two audiences.
The SIG will keep you informed about Society’s stances on EDCs and offer clear, population-based evidence that clinicians can use to advise patients about EDCs. The SIG also will look to establish recommendations around EDC risk mitigation for patients.
The Society has many experts in this area, including clinical and basic scientists, who have conducted extensive research into EDCs. Furthermore, nearly 470 Society members now list “Endocrine Disruption” as a professional focus.
Leading this group are co-chairs Thomas Zoeller, MD, Emeritus Professor at University of Massachusetts; and Jerry Heindel, PhD, Director, Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies. Content topics and upcoming webinars will include a focus on:
The EDCs SIG hopes to collaborate with other EDC-focused organizations such as HEEDs to share content and offer networking opportunities. This group also plans to take advantage of Society podcasts and publishing opportunities to cover EDC related topics.
Benefits of Joining these SIGs and Others
Like our other SIGs, the two new entrants will provide virtual and in-person networking opportunities for members with like interests. SIG members will gain access to the DocMatter community platform where they can share research, ask questions, and network.
All SIGs will provide up-to-date educational content in the form of webinars, podcasts, articles, and patient advocacy materials. At webinars, members will have the opportunity to ask top experts in the field their most pressing questions.
We look forward to seeing you online!