Musings from Monday…
World Congress of Dermatology
Dr John Gray’s Daily Blog
The real thing – and after the gentle start, thousands of delegates expected with the prediction that most of Latin America will be there. Indeed they were!
This may be a World Congress (and there are the good and the great from most countries) but it seems that the whole of the Latin American derms have come on a coach- indeed, this is a pilgrimage. Having presumably been denied previous attendance by sheer distance, they are determined to make it to this one – the female to male ratio seems about 10 to 1 and all of them apparently determined to see and enjoy everything.
After two days of blue skies, woken by tropical storm – remember I said pack a raincoat?
Combination of torrential rain and rush hour denies taxi driver credible attempt at Lewis Hamilton impersonation but narrowly avoid monumental puddle at Convention Centre due to the ubiquitous holes in the road.
Morning sessions are underway after protracted journey and hop between sessions “speaker picking.”
Tip of the day
Always highlight the speakers you wish to hear the night before and get familiar with the various halls which are spread about. Saves a lot of time and ensures you see all you possibly can.
The coffee break unleashes seemingly endless hordes into the Exhibition Hall. Queues form which would rival the crossing of the dead sea. Some exhibitors seem to relish sheer volume: with the holy grail of the (often indiscernible) freebie attained by patience. Others adopt a more – see a video, meet the expert, learn some “stuff” and then quietly pick up the goodies.
P&G ran a continuous video highlighting skin, hair and scalp scientists and some core information on technologies. Gradually, over the morning, their cinema-style format works as people can sit and watch. Eventually, this seems an increasingly-preferred option to standing in line.
For the first time ever, hair dye technology is on show. Not one the contact allergists would expect, but obvious from observation that 70% of the females delegates appearing on stand seem to use this type of technology (and probably, some of the men).
After this onslaught, the plenary session is packed. Genomic is the subject and some fascinating information is shared, particularly on cancer. The debate on seed v. soil for predicting prognosis of metastases is fascinating, with recent work highlighting the importance of soil (the local metastatic environment). Seems that metastases DO behave differently from the primary lesion due to local signalling pathways and growth factors. Treatments will, in the future, be modelled on the need to differentiate primary and secondary blocks for these pathways. Each patient will need an individual plan rather than a blanket approach.
The histo-pathologist may be required to predict much more accurately the prognosis of individual cases by histolog, image analysis and gene profiling and help to individualise management. I wonder if our health authorities will relish this, as it sounds expensive.
Lunch brings an even greater onslaught on the stands and queues snaking for miles (kilometres) – the fortitude of all is taxed almost to endurance as the humidity from the storm challenges the air conditioning. However, most seem happy to wait for their eventual prize. Speak to charming but exhausted conference director as P&G Beauty is sponsoring the President’s dinner on Wednesday – as usual, all seems to be well under control. She confesses that the Congress has attracted many more than expected and the breakout sessions are bursting.
Attend contact allergy session – seems allergy to plastic is more common that thought (hmmm…) but presentation by Donald Belsito on new allergens is fascinating and informative. Admits that the fragrance industry is “doing a good job” at reducing incidence of allergies, but watch out for temporary tattooing fallout in kids. Textile dyes from cheap imports are also an increasing issue. Totally agree – unlicensed and unregulated tattooing of children is a real problem, with some as young as eight having the ad hoc holiday tattoo doctored with sensitising dyes to which they are subsequently exposed from other sources.
Sink exhausted into bath tub and scrub up for Distinguished Dermatologist dinner hosted by P&G Beauty. Exit hotel to be faced by serried ranks of paparazzi – sense slight disappointment when discover that they are waiting for Prince amongst others. Give passable Becks wave, but no flashlight disturbs the still storm-drenched night.
Whisked off to amazing private house stuffed full of antiques and paintings of former heroes looking noble but tough. On loan from the army apparently – beats the RAC club by a mile.
Host of genuine thought-leading dermatologists turn up and lots of interesting stuff on the state of the profession and where it is all going. General agreement that skin cancer and photobiology are big stuff. Convincing the public to protect themselves and their kids is maybe getting through. Obvious that without the big cosmetic manufacturers like P&G Beauty, progress would be much slower. The next three hours is passed with magnificent food and a spectacular finale with Eva/Madonna lookalike on balcony – inevitable “don’t cry for me Argentina” brings tear to eye and lump to throat (finale photo 1, 2, 3).
We troop off into the night with many exchanges of cards and hopes of intellectual advances in the future. Cannot beat socialising for fertilising.
Late to bed, but happy.
Chau,
John Gray