VCCC Annual Report 2019-20
The VCCC Annual Report 2019-20 highlights the breadth, diversity, and significance of the alliance's work, the potential for future growth, and the impact on the Victorian community.
The VCCC has partnered with Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer consortium on a joint initiative to support clinicians and health care services treating patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery phase.
The Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network (VCCN) provides a variety of resources and opportunities to get involved, learn and contribute.
There are two ways to get involved:
Subscribe to receive the VCCN newsletter with latest news, developments and changes to cancer care in Victoria, online events and seminars.
Become a VCCN Member: Health care workers can become a member of the VCCN and participate in online conversations and knowledge sharing via the VCCN Slack workspace. Members must agree to the terms and conditions to join.
Peter Mac is Australia’s only integrated cancer research, treatment and education centre, with multidisciplinary teams that provide care informed by precision in fundamental, translational and clinical research.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (Melbourne Health) provides high-quality cancer treatment programs, translational research, and surgical and medical expertise, as well as other key support services such as clinical care and emergency medicine.
Australia’s first ranked research university and medical school, the university provides academic and research expertise to the alliance.
The Women’s provides specialist cancer services for women with breast and gynecological cancer and conducts research into the treatment and care of women with cancer, as well as the specific impacts of gender on cancer.
WEHI is one of Australia’s leading biomedical research organisations, with a strong national and international reputation for performing highly influential basic and translational research.
The Children’s Cancer Centre is the only provider of complex children’s cancer care and stem cell transplantation in Victoria and is a leader in the research and treatment of childhood cancer.
Western Health is the largest provider of treatment for colorectal cancer and a leader in the treatment of upper gastro-intestinal cancers with programs in breast, lung, genitourinary, gynaecology and haematological cancer.
Western Health has on-site radiation therapy and chemotherapy facilities and has a strong palliative care service.
A leader in palliative care practice and complex cancer surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne also provides oncology and haematology services, on-site radiation therapy and chemotherapy facilities, in addition the hospital houses the Victorian-wide psycho-oncology service.
The hospital shares its campus with St Vincent's Institute, which has fundamental and clinical researchers working on mechanisms of cancer and diseases of cancer survivorship.
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre at Austin Health provides world-leading specialist treatment and holistic care including clinical trials both independently and in partnership with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) – a leader in the development of experimental and breakthrough cancer treatments only metres from where patients are cared for.
The MCRI is a leader in understanding the underlying mechanisms and treatment of paediatric cancer and is home to the Children’s Cancer Tissue bank; a world class resource for researchers studying rare solid tumours and leukemia.
Peter Mac is Australia’s only integrated cancer research, treatment and education centre, with multidisciplinary teams that provide care informed by precision in fundamental, translational and clinical research.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (Melbourne Health) provides high-quality cancer treatment programs, translational research, and surgical and medical expertise, as well as other key support services such as clinical care and emergency medicine.
Australia’s first ranked research university and medical school, the university provides academic and research expertise to the alliance.
The Women’s provides specialist cancer services for women with breast and gynecological cancer and conducts research into the treatment and care of women with cancer, as well as the specific impacts of gender on cancer.
WEHI is one of Australia’s leading biomedical research organisations, with a strong national and international reputation for performing highly influential basic and translational research.
The Children’s Cancer Centre is the only provider of complex children’s cancer care and stem cell transplantation in Victoria and is a leader in the research and treatment of childhood cancer.
Western Health is the largest provider of treatment for colorectal cancer and a leader in the treatment of upper gastro-intestinal cancers with programs in breast, lung, genitourinary, gynaecology and haematological cancer.
Western Health has on-site radiation therapy and chemotherapy facilities and has a strong palliative care service.
A leader in palliative care practice and complex cancer surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne also provides oncology and haematology services, on-site radiation therapy and chemotherapy facilities, in addition the hospital houses the Victorian-wide psycho-oncology service.
The hospital shares its campus with St Vincent's Institute, which has fundamental and clinical researchers working on mechanisms of cancer and diseases of cancer survivorship.
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre at Austin Health provides world-leading specialist treatment and holistic care including clinical trials both independently and in partnership with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) – a leader in the development of experimental and breakthrough cancer treatments only metres from where patients are cared for.
The MCRI is a leader in understanding the underlying mechanisms and treatment of paediatric cancer and is home to the Children’s Cancer Tissue bank; a world class resource for researchers studying rare solid tumours and leukemia.
Translation is complex and difficult. So let's do it
Pound for pound, Australia's track record in medical research innovation is impressive by any standard. It's not news that translating that to commercial application is our long-standing stumbling block. Yet we know how vital it is to our economy and there's plenty of evidence to show that we can do it.
Imagine living in a remote community with volcanic islands, green rainforests, and sandy beaches. Yet there is no cancer screening or population-based cancer registries. There are no cancer specialists.
According to a recent report, small nations such as the Solomon Islands have a lack of trained oncologists and formalised training programs.
Thanks to Canberra-based, independent medical charity the John James Foundation, and with a bit of assistance from the new Coral Sea Cable System, Dr Andrew Soma from the Solomon Islands has taken matters into his own hands by securing a scholarship to study oncology via the online Master of Cancer Sciences.
The unique challenges faced by family stem cell donors
Dr Nienke Zomerdijk, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Psycho-Oncology, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre alliance has won the International Psycho-Oncology Society’s presentation award at this year’s conference.
The conference, held last month in Kyoto, Japan was attended virtually by psychologists, clinicians, and palliative and supportive care professionals from over 50 countries.
"There's no doubt I'm more attuned" - Professor Grant McArthur on empathy, equity, and what drives him.
The Oncology Podcast is presented by Oncology News Australia and is hosted by Prof Eva Segelov from Monash University, Dr Craig Underhill, VCCC Regional Oncology Lead, and Prof Han Prenen. In a very special episode this week, VCCC alliance Executive Director, Grant McArthur shared his personal story about cancer in a candid interview with Eva Segelov.
Since launching in late 2019, the VCCC consumer engagement web-based toolkit has become a popular resource, with a total of 10,000 views recorded to-date. The toolkit assists people to understand and implement consumer engagement processes and practice within their own organisations.
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne introduced remuneration for clinical governance committees based on a model demonstrated in the toolkit.
Workplaces are often plagued by conflict: interpersonal, cross-professional, and cross-functional. Conflict at work is a top source of strain for employees and leaders alike. Excellent leadership requires an understanding of how we form impressions of others, how we judge their behaviors, and the biases inherent in these processes. This allows for insight into how to unite those we lead behind a shared vision and common purpose.
How can understanding brain development inform new approaches to treating paediatric brain tumours?
Hear paediatric cancer expert and Director of the Children's Cancer Centre, review the DLX homeobox gene family and discuss the role of transcription factors in brain development.
A lot of hard work and time goes into conducting research. Then more time and work goes into publishing the results. Yet sadly many papers are never read and many findings are never translated into practice.
It's tempting to think that if you are clever and work hard then people will notice and shower you with rewards. Tempting but probably not true. As well as being clever and working hard, you also need to be able to promote yourself and your research.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and suitably qualified Subject Development Coordinator to take overall responsibility for the design, implementation and delivery of the Melbourne MicroCert course: Embarking on Clinical Trials: An Investigators Toolkit in the Emerging Topics in Oncology Series.
You are likely to be a PhD and have experience of working in a clinical trials unit.
The VCCC has established two clinical trial internships to provide a pathway for science graduates into the highly competitive clinical trials field. The 40-week program includes a 38-week placement and competency-based training in metro and/or regional locations to build role-specific clinical trial knowledge, experience and skills.
The flexible program is designed to be of interest to PhD students with either a scientific or clinical background, including medical graduates, nursing and allied health specialists.