Presenting at VICS Optimal Care Summits

The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) Optimal Care Summits program provides a powerful opportunity to share your personal experiences with cancer.

Your audience – including clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and other patients – is eager to learn from your insights to help improve cancer care. You’ll be co-presenting with another consumer, speaking for about 15 minutes, incorporating survey results with your lived experience.

VICS staff will help you prepare and deliver your presentation, including:

• guidance on reviewing your slides
• help with PowerPoint and presentation technology
• a contact person for questions and rehearsal opportunities
• an introduction to your co-presenter before the event.

The following tips can help you prepare your presentation and deliver it on the day. Further below is an example presentation, given by two consumers at our endometrial cancer summit in 2025.

Preparing your story and integrating survey data

Step 1: Review the slides

• We’ll provide you with PowerPoint slides summarising consumer survey data.
• You must not alter the content provided, but you can add some of your own photos if you like.
• The slides show numbers and percentages (quantitative findings). The notes under each slide contain comments and stories (qualitative findings) for you to read aloud.
• While reviewing each slide, note down any personal experiences you have had that relate to the survey results. These anecdotes will help bring the data to life.

Step 2: Choosing what to say

• You won’t be able to cover everything. Choose one or two results that connect most strongly to your own story, to add your own commentary.
• For example, if 75% of patients reported travel difficulties and that reflects your experience, describe how it affected your daily life.

Step 3: Collaborate with your co-presenter

• We’ll introduce you to your co-presenter before the event. Make a time to meet with them (online or in person) and go through the slides together, sharing your responses and stories.
• Decide who will lead each slide, and which personal stories you both think should be included.
• Keep track of timing. You only have 15 minutes total.

Crafting and structuring your story

Tailor your message

• Focus on what’s relevant to the topic, event theme, and audience.
• Ask yourself, or the event organisers, ‘What is the one message or feeling I want people to walk away with?’
• Telling your whole detailed story in chronological order will not be possible. Instead, think of sharing ‘snapshots’. Choose key moments that connect with the audience. For example:
  • The opening could introduce your type of cancer, age of diagnosis and current treatment phase –plus an interesting fact or two about yourself to help build rapport with your audience.
  • Later in your speech, you may share a short anecdote about one aspect of your cancer experience, such as your experience accessing support services or the impact on your family.
• Give constructive feedback with grace. There’s always room for improvement and you might want to share something negative. Consider how best to deliver that information. For example, “I experienced this – I share this because I’d like to see changes so that no one else goes through this.”

The hook – start strong and finish with a clear message

• Your first words should be a ‘hook’ designed to catch your audience’s attention in the first 15 seconds.
  • Avoid opening with ‘Thank you’ or your name (You’ll be introduced).
  • Examples:
    “I was living a long-held dream – being a visiting scientist in Ireland. My days were spent working with the Irish dairy industry; my nights, dancing to jazz music in Cork; and my weekends, being a tourist in Ireland.
    Days before my 30th birthday, my world came crashing down. I received a diagnosis of stage 3 bowel cancer.”
    “I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020 and received surgery and chemotherapy at XYZ Hospital. I’ve been in remission since 2022. Today, I’ll share how that experience affected my family life and access to care.”
  • After you’ve delivered your hook and got their attention, it is then time to say thanks and add an Acknowledgement of Country if needed.
  • Only tell the audience your name if you haven’t been introduced already.
  • Practice and memorise your hook, so it’s word perfect, so that you can look at your audience and not your notes when you deliver it.
• End with a clear closing that reinforces your key points or leaves the audience with a strong takeaway message.

Writing, rehearsing and timing

• Write a short script for your story or use dot points to stay on track.
• Practice out loud. Whispering or silent reading doesn’t count. Try recording yourself or rehearsing with a friend.
• Stand while you rehearse, if you can. It helps prepare you for presenting live.
• Time yourself. Most stories should be 1–2 minutes long, but longer ones are OK if essential.

Presentation day tips

• Arrive 10–15 minutes early, to get familiar with the room and equipment.
• You’ll present from a lectern with microphones and a slide clicker.
• Bring printed notes or use a device you’re comfortable reading from.
• You’ll be introduced by name.
• Don’t forget to start with a hook.
• Look at the audience, or at their foreheads if eye contact feels uncomfortable.
• Keep a glass of water nearby and take a breath between sections.
• Smile. You know your story, and the audience wants to hear it.

Presenting online (Teams, Zoom, and so on)

If you are presenting virtually, here are some extra tips to help:

• Familiarise yourself with the platform (Teams, Zoom, or other) before your session. Test your microphone, camera, and internet connection.
• Make eye contact regularly by looking into your camera, not just at your notes or screen.
• Avoid simply reading your notes – speak naturally, as if you’re talking to the audience in person.
• Consider having a facilitator online who can monitor questions, manage chat, or assist with technical issues if needed.
• Minimise distractions – choose a quiet, well-lit space with a simple background.

Taming those butterflies

• Feeling nervous is normal. It means you care.
• Try these strategies:
  • Take deep, slow breaths before speaking.
  • Do a ‘power pose’, such as standing tall with hands on hips, to boost your confidence.
  • Take a quick moment alone in the bathroom to reset if needed.

“The first time I spoke, I shook so much I had to hold the lectern. No one noticed. Now, I channel those nerves into energy.”

Using PowerPoint effectively

• Keep slides simple. Images and minimal text work best.
• People can’t read and listen at the same time, so your voice matters most.
• Consider including a personal photo if you’re comfortable.
• Remember that PowerPoint is your visual aid – you are the presentation.

Be kind to yourself

• Writing a speech, sharing your story, and bringing memories of your cancer close to the surface can be difficult and tiring. Make sure you take time to look after yourself.
• Only share what feels comfortable. You’re in control. Share only the parts of your experience you feel safe and comfortable expressing.
• While you are presenting, be ready for emotions – yours and others. It’s OK to feel things while you speak.
• After presenting, audience members may approach you to share their lived experience. This can be surprising but also meaningful.
• Afterwards, make sure you rest, debrief with someone you trust, and ensure your own wellbeing.

Final thoughts

• You are in control. Only share what feels safe and right for you.
• Your voice is powerful. It can drive change, inspire action, and connect deeply with others.
• Start strong, finish strong, and most importantly, be yourself.

More information

These tips were developed in partnership with consumers – that is, people who have been affected by cancer, are living with it, or have cared for someone with cancer.

• Click here for more on the VICS Optimal Care Summits program or email OptimalCareSummits@austin.org.au.
• Click here for more on how the VICS connect cancer service improvement initiatives with the voices of people who have lived experience of cancer.