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 to develop a joint initiative to provide support and advice to clinicians and health care services treating patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network collaborates on a digital platform for professional discussion, information and support, as the pandemic progresses.
Events and seminars are now being conducted online.
You can also catch up on previous seminars via our Open Learning platform.
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.
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute 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.
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute 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.
The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) alliance has welcomed the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-2024 – a state-wide plan to reduce the harm caused by cancer.
“Every Victorian is affected by cancer in some way,” Executive Director of the VCCC, Professor Grant McArthur, said.
“This plan sets out a state-wide commitment to increase screening, improve access to treatment and more personalised care, and to invest in research and programs for all Victorians, no matter where they live.”
As we look toward the next phase in our response to COVID-19, I have been reflecting on the importance of the courage to take risks as a leadership attribute. We can all think of a time in our lives when we have hesitated, uncertain of the future, yet by moving forward we arrive at our destination wiser and more resilient.
The past few weeks have been especially challenging for those directly involved in patient care. Restriction of family interactions in hospital settings; and encouraging patients in the community to be proactive in their health care requires an intelligent, compassionate approach.
Since March this year, the VCCC has been working with Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC) on a collaborative project known as the Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network (VCCN).
As a workforce-led initiative, this has provided an agile response to the rapidly evolving issues created by the pandemic which are affecting everything from treatment guidelines to staff wellbeing.
The network is supported by the Victorian Integrated Cancer Services and is provided with vital decision-making data by the Victorian Cancer Registry. Cancer Council Victoria is also actively involved and is providing a vital interface with the Victorian community.
The urgent need to implement Telehealth as a part of safe health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the opportunity this technology offers to enable cutting edge care - including clinical trial participation.
A new paper on the innovative VCCC Teletrials program has been published in The Medical Journal of Australia, 31 August 2020.
Every year in Victoria, around 300 adolescents and young adults (AYA, 15-25 years) are diagnosed with cancer. Approximately 30 Victorian adolescents and young adults die from cancer each year. Some cancers occur more commonly in children and adolescents (paediatrics), and others more commonly in adults. Adolescents can also develop adult-type cancers, and young adults can develop paediatric-type cancers. For these patients, there is often a disconnect between their place of care and access to clinical trials.
The VCCC Increasing AYA Access to Clinical Trials Program identified the following four key barriers to AYA clinical trial participation, and developed solutions to alleviate these barriers.
Former postdoctoral researcher in neuroscience and clinical psychologist, Dr Desiree Dickerson will explore the costs of impostor syndrome and how it impacts on productivity, motivation and the enjoyment of working in research.
The ins and outs of tumour drug targeting: improving antibody induced immune responses and tumour drug loading
Learn about the latest breakthrough in head and neck cancer treatment. Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered how to predict cetuximab response in head and neck cancers, providing new insights into how the drug works.
Uncovering mammary gland-resident macrophages by 3D and intravital imaging.
The VCCC Grand Rounds are a fortnightly meeting showcasing the latest developments in breast cancer-related research locally, nationally and globally. Join to hear from Post Doctoral Fellow, Dr Caleb Dawson from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
The Australian clinical trials sector is expanding; scientists who have completed a PhD can bring research experience to the clinical trial setting, and with training and experience, are well placed to take up study coordinator roles.
As well as developing core clinical trial knowledge and skills, participants will undertake a process improvement project within a Victorian clinical trial unit. In consultation with the unit, the student will monitor a clinical trial process and identify areas for improvement.
Are you a Victorian, oncology-related, clinical trials unit, ethics and governance office, medical/surgical/radiation unit?
Clinical trial units with an interest in cancer are invited to submit an expression of interest to host a SKILLED intern for the 2021 program.
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.