Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

03/09/2025

A clinical trial assessing a less invasive way to diagnose early has just recruited its 660th, and final, patient. Read more about the PRIMARY2 trial - co-led by St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and Peter Mac - here:

An Australia-wide clinical trial investigating a less invasive approach to diagnose early prostate cancer has reached a major milestone, successfully recruiting its 660th and final participant.

03/09/2025

🌟 Celebrating Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips 🌟
Last night, our very own Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips was inducted into the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women!
Professor Phillips has spent her career transforming breast cancer research and care, from developing the iPrevent prevention tool to championing fertility preservation during treatment.
As the first woman to become a Professor of Oncology in Victoria, she continues to inspire and lead change for women everywhere.
Please join us in congratulating Professor Phillips on this incredible recognition of her work to save lives and improve outcomes for women and families across the globe. 💜

More: www.petermac.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/details/professor-kelly-anne-phillips-inducted-into-victorian-honour-roll-of-women

29/08/2025

Today is 💜 a day dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTIQA+ young people to reach their full potential without fear or limitations.

Peter Mac joined in with our partners around the Parkville precinct to celebrate diversity together.

This year’s theme, “Bold Voices, Bright Futures”, inspired staff from different organisations to join together and make a video to amplify the voices and experiences of LGBTIQA+ team members from services across the precinct.

Their reflections on the question “What is one thing you would tell your younger self?” empower LGBTIQA+ young people to know that they are valued, their identity matters, and their future can be full of potential.

This collaboration and these shared voices serve as a reminder that bold voices today help create brighter futures tomorrow 🏳️‍🌈

We are better when we celebrate diversity together 💜

The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hospital The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Oral Health Victoria Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital The Royal Women's Hospital

27/08/2025

Did you know up to 1 in 100 Australians live with an inherited gene variant - such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 - that increases their lifetime cancer risk? And each year, up to 16,500 Australians are diagnosed with an inherited cancer?

The first Inherited Cancers Awareness Day ( ) was held today to bring visibility, voice, and validation to the thousands of Australians who are silently living with inherited cancer risk.

This national initiative was launched by Inherited Cancers Australia, with Peter Mac's support. Learn more here: https://www.petermac.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/details/first-inherited-cancers-awareness-day

26/08/2025

A discovery by researchers at Peter Mac may have identified one of blood cancer's 'Achilles' heels.

Research published today shows that blocking a protein called CDK11 can result in the rapid death of cancer cells linked to conditions like acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

“By targeting CDK11, we may be able to switch off the genes that cancer cells need to survive, without harming normal cells,” lead author, Dr Jennifer Devlin, said.”

“This research gives us a new angle on how we approach killing aggressive blood cancers like AML."

More than 1000 people are diagnosed with AML in Australia each year, with just 30% of adults still alive five years after being diagnosed.

Read more on the Peter Mac website - https://bit.ly/4oU3rrI

22/08/2025

We were rapt to have a visit from Collingwood AFLW superstars Lauren Butler, Tarni White, Imogen Barnett and Brittany Bonnici ahead of their big game against the GWS Giants this week.

They traded their football boots for paint brushes as they joined in on an Art Therapy session before visiting patients undergoing chemo at Peter Mac!

Thank you to Collingwood Football Club and to the players. Best of luck tomorrow!

15/08/2025

This week we've been showcasing some of the amazing researchers at Peter Mac to help celebrate National Science Week!

The images and biographies of 20 scientists who are striving for the next big breakthrough in cancer research are on display along with their personal stories - what inspires them, why they chose to work in their field and what draws them back each day.

The 'Faces of Discovery' exhibition is an insight into the people as well as the science and highlights how through working together we bring hope that cancer is no longer a life-defining diagnosis.

The posters are up on display in our Welcome Hall and on Level 7 at Peter Mac or you can go to our website to see and read more - https://bit.ly/45ML3JL

12/08/2025

Trouble sleeping? You’re not alone — 6 in 10 patients report sleep issues.

This , we’re highlighting how Peter Mac’s expert-led Can-Sleep program is helping people rest easier, using practical, evidence-based strategies.

Senior Clinical Psychologist Mei Tran says sleep is vital for recovery — and even small changes can make a big difference. 🌙

🛌 Learn more about how you can take control of your sleep — and download the free Can-Sleep guide to try the techniques at home.

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/3Ujo7LK

07/08/2025

Launching Monday!

We’re thrilled to unveil Faces of Discovery, our National Science Week exhibition that celebrates the brilliant minds behind cancer research at Peter Mac.

Through striking portraits and heartfelt personal reflections, this showcase brings you face-to-face with the researchers who are pushing the boundaries of science — not just with innovation, but with passion, purpose and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people with cancer.

Come and meet our Faces of Discovery in the Welcome Hall and on Level 7 from Monday. Prepare to be inspired.

07/08/2025

We were delighted to welcome Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson MP for Essendon and BioNTech’s David Sparling to Peter Mac this week to celebrate the launch of the new Clinical Trial Oncology Platform.

This exciting partnership between BioNTech SE, Peter Mac, and our delivery partners — Austin Health, The Alfred and Monash Health — will give cancer patients across Australia easier access to next-generation investigational treatments.

The platform is designed to streamline clinical trials, improve data collection, and expand access for patients. The first trial — evaluating an innovative immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer — is already underway here at Peter Mac.

We thank BioNTech and the Victorian Government for their vision and investment, and our fellow health service partners for working alongside us to make this a reality.

Together, we’re helping to deliver cutting-edge therapies to patients sooner and strengthening Victoria’s position as a global leader in research and biotechnology.

Read more: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/improving-clinical-trial-access-cancer-patients

04/08/2025

Patients have voted — and Peter Mac has been named Australia’s Outstanding Hospital of 2025 at the Patients Australia Awards!

This honour is extra special for us as it's based on community nominations, recognising the huge impact our people have in the lives of the patients and families we care for every day.

A huge thank you to everyone who put Peter Mac forward!

👏 Special congratulations also to Professor Michael Jefford (finalist, Outstanding Specialist) and Nurse Emma-Jane Furphy (finalist, Outstanding Nurse).

In this photo, James Fowler, Deputy Director of Patient Experience and Wellbeing, with the award alongside nurses Hayley Beer and Emma-Jane Furphy.

31/07/2025

Fresh flavours, comforting favourites, and thoughtful nutrition — our brand-new patient menu has officially launched at Peter Mac!

Developed by our Food Services, Nutrition and Speech Pathology teams, the menu was designed with patient feedback and features a wide range of nourishing dishes made from scratch in our own kitchen.

From hearty curries and pasta to vegetarian, vegan and softer texture options, there’s something for everyone.

Because when you’re unwell, it’s often the little things — like a warm, delicious meal — that make the biggest difference. 💜

👉 Check out some of the new dishes and read more: https://www.petermac.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/details/fresh-flavours-peter-mac-launches-new-menu-for-patients