Sydney, Australia 11 February 2025 – Omico is taking another major step in helping Australians diagnosed with challenging cancers, along with their families and carers, to better understand genomics and precision oncology – critical components of modern cancer care. With the launch of its first-of-its-kind podcast series, Cancer Meets its Match, Omico is making this complex science more accessible.

The eight-episode series provides clear and meaningful information about genomics in cancer care and how it’s helping Australians with advanced or hard-to-treat cancers find new possibilities. This rapidly evolving field is explored through discussions with leading researchers, clinicians, advocacy groups, patients and family members.

The podcast considers a wide range of topics, from the science and evidence to the practicalities of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP), while also providing information and resources to help listeners understand how CGP can lead to a potential match to a clinical trial or targeted treatment.

“Genomic profiling is no longer a future concept—it’s here and has a crucial role to play in improving outcomes for cancer patients,” said Professor David Thomas, Omico’s Chief Science and Strategy Officer and Director of the Centre for Molecular Oncology at UNSW.

“Our goal with this podcast is to ensure the community and notably those diagnosed with challenging cancers, their family members and healthcare providers, are able to fully understand how these advancements now play a critical role in modern cancer care and how significant improvements in outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers are possible.”

The broad range of topics include unlocking the basics of genomics, the process involved in conducting CGP, what it’s like to receive it, how matches to advanced targeted treatments are made, what’s involved in today’s clinical trials, and what the future in genomics and precision oncology holds.

“We know that when facing a cancer diagnosis, understanding your options is key. We’ve worked hard to ensure this podcast covers all the key topics the community wants to learn about, and we are incredibly grateful for the commitment given by the amazing range of talented individuals featured,” adds Ian Black, CEO Omico. “Our mission is to make precision oncology and genomics fully integrated and accessible in Australia – communicating to Australians about what precision oncology means to everyone affected by cancer is fundamental to this.”

Cancer Meets its Match, hosted by Dr Ginni Mansberg, will be released weekly from 11 February 2025. Listen on the Omico website: https://www.omico.com.au/resources-events/ Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Omico’s social channels: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For additional resources, download the patient information booklet at https://www.omico.com.au/patients-and-families/

This Podcast series has been created in Australia for Australians, offering insights tailored to the local context. However, it may also provide valuable knowledge for anyone around the world seeking to deepen their understanding of precision oncology.

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Notes to Editors:

Omico’s Cancer Meets Its Match Podcast Series:

Episode 1 – Genomics & Cancer Unzipped (The Basics)
Covers comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) – what it is, why it’s important, and how it works.
Features: Prof David Thomas (Omico) and Dr. Damien Kee (The Austin Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)

Episode 2 – Inside Omico’s Cancer Screening Program (CaSP)
Explores Omico’s CaSP program—how it works, who can access it, and how to discuss it with your doctor.
Features: A/Prof Mandy Ballinger (UNSW Centre for Molecular Oncology) and Laura Manual (Program Manager, UNSW Centre for Molecular Oncology)

Episode 3 – Real Stories from Those Who Have Had CGP
Personal experiences from those who have undergone CGP, including key questions to ask and the role of self-advocacy.
Features: Emily Lahey, Beth Ivimey, and Caitlin Delaney

Episode 4 – Finding Your Match Through CGP
Breaks down how CGP results are matched to treatments or trials and what happens when a match is found.
Features: A/Prof Rob Zielinski (Western Sydney University, Orange Base Hospital)

Episode 5 – Inside a Modern-Day Clinical Trial – Experiences & Insights
Insights into clinical trials from patient and clinician perspectives, covering what to expect and questions to ask.
Features: A/Prof James Lynam (Calvary Mater Newcastle) and Dr. Niara Oliveira (Mater Hospital Brisbane)

Episode 6 – Where to Find Precision Oncology Support
Highlights advocacy organizations supporting patients with advanced cancer and the importance of self-advocacy.
Features: Vicky Durston (Breast Cancer Network Australia), Sue Hegarty (Pancare Foundation), Anne Savage (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia), and Cathy Slattery (Rare Cancers Australia)

Episode 7 – Insights from Loved Ones
Family members share their experiences supporting loved ones undergoing CGP, discussing what they’ve learned and the questions they recommend asking.
Features: Family members Tara Grant and Cheyanne Carmona

 Episode 8 – Future Prospects: What Lies Ahead?
A look at what’s next for genomic profiling and precision oncology, including expected advancements in the next 5–10 years.
Features: Prof David Thomas (Omico) and Christine Cockburn (Rare Cancers Australia).

Issued on behalf of Omico by Cube. Contact: Anne-Marie Sparrow, 0417 421 560 / anne-marie@cube.com.au or Emma Norgrove, 0499 688 011 / emma@cube.com.au

Precision oncology involves using genomic technology to detect the unique genetic and molecular variations in a person’s cancer that drive its growth, in order to identify clinical trials of new targeted treatments that can specifically address those variations to improve patient outcomes.

Omico (www.omico.com.au) is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation leading the use of precision oncology to turn the tide on cancer in Australia. The unique Omico network of researchers, clinicians, hospitals and industry partners is accelerating community access to the latest developments – comprehensive genomic profiling and next-generation treatments. Omico is a nation-wide organisation and is proud that every state and territory is represented by its Members and Participants, as follows: –

• Linear Clinical Research Limited (WA)
• Central Adelaide Local Health District (SA)
• Northern Territory of Australia (NT)
• Department of Health, The State of Tasmania (Tas)
• Garvan Institute of Medical Research (NSW)
• The University of Sydney represented by NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (NSW)
• The Australian Capital Territory represented by ACT Health (ACT)
• Metro South Hospital and Health Services, represented by Princess Alexandra Hospital (QLD)
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute (VIC)