Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

What a moment for Peter Mac patient and Olympian, Jean Mitchell, who will row for Australia in the Women's Four at the Paris Olympics tonight! Jean was dominating her age class nationally when her cancer was diagnosed at age 16 - being treated at Peter Mac for medulloblastoma (a paediatric brain tumour) which required surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. “Everyone representing Australia in Paris has shown enormous talent and dedication but few will have overcome the challenges that Jean has,” says Dr Greg Wheeler, chair of the Paediatric and Late Effects Service at Peter Mac. In 2016, Peter Mac’s radiotherapy team arranged for Australian Olympic gold medallist rower Kim Brennan to visit Jean to lift her spirits. Now Jean has the chance to be part of history herself. Join us in cheering on Jean and the crew tonight from 8.30pm AEST. And read more about Jean's incredible journey here - https://bit.ly/46r3yCs Go Jean, Go Rowsellas, Go Australia!

Children, animals and technology are part of today's Open House experience at Peter Mac! Hundreds of people have already been through the doors to learn more about cancer care with radiation therapy, cancer imaging and performing robotic surgery on gummi bears all capturing the imagination. But it's hard to compete with therapy dog, Baz, who's winning hearts (and pats) everywhere he goes! Open House is on until 4pm this afternoon for everyone who's brave enough to tackle Melbourne's wintry weather. You can click on the link for more info about what's on - https://bit.ly/3zGE3R2

Peter Mac launched a trial of an Australian-first ‘Volunteer Peer Navigators Program’ to support head and neck cancer patients at a jam-packed event this morning. CEO, Professor Jason Payne, was joined by the CEO of Head and Neck Cancer Australia, Nadia Rosin, at the event ahead of World Head and Neck Cancer Day tomorrow, 27 July. Head and neck cancers include a range of different cancers located in the head and neck but tend to have a lower profile than other cancer types. The cancers and treatment can affect a patient’s ability to perform simple tasks such as eating, drinking, swallowing, speaking and even breathing, and can also impact on patient’s appearance. The Head and Neck Peer Navigation Program will see volunteer patients and carers working with current patients and their families to help ensure they can access the support and services they need. “This program has the potential to not only offer patients support, but also give them hope,” said Lora Winter, head and neck cancer patient and facilitator of the Victorian Head and Neck Cancer Support Group. “Head and neck cancers can have a significant impact on patients and their families so to learn from those who have been on this journey and to see that there can be a positive outcome will be really important for people.” More details about the trial and our collaboration with Northern Health are on our website - https://bit.ly/4c2bzPk

A study just published in Nature Medicine shows how exercise reduces fatigue and improves quality of life in patients with metastatic (advanced) breast cancer. "In addition, beneficial effects in physical functioning and pain were seen with exercise," explains Peter Mac's Prof Prue Francis. Read more about this study, a collaboration with Australian Catholic University and other institutes, here 👇 https://lnkd.in/g_B58sjT

Open House Melbourne is almost here! This is a rare opportunity to see the workings of Australia's only dedicated public cancer hospital up close and to meet some of the people who care for our patients. Take the chance to learn more about surgery, radiation therapy, pathology, pharmacy, cancer imaging, research and wellbeing at Peter Mac. You can also take in an exhibition showcasing our 75 year history and enjoy the incredible art that is on display around the building. Peter Mac is open from 10am to 4pm this weekend - July 27th and 28th. For full program details click here - https://bit.ly/3zGE3R2 #openhousemelbourne #rediscoveryourcity

Our Prof Michael Jefford has just been made a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This first for an Australian-trained medico recognises his extraordinary volunteer service and global leadership in cancer survivorship. MORE 👇

Join us for Peter Mac's third public nursing seminar for 2024 next week. We will be exploring planetary health and its impacts on the health and wellbeing of populations. Hear from keynote speaker Distinguished Professor Tracey Levett-Jones, leader of the University of Technology Sydney Planetary Health for Nursing & Midwifery Research & Education Collaborative. Peter Mac will be represented by Head and Neck Nurse Consultant Meiling Zhou. Presented in collaboration with University of Melbourne, The Royal Children's Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Find details and register via the link.

It's just over a week until Open House Melbourne and the full list of events at Peter Mac is now available! Come and join us on Saturday July 27th and Sunday July 28th for a behind the scenes look at Peter Mac, our services and our history as we celebrate 75 years. You can take part in a guided tour or simply use the opportunity to see the different aspects of cancer care and patient wellbeing in the amazing building that houses Australia's only public health service solely dedicated to caring for people affected by cancer. Peter Mac's full Open House Melbourne program can be found here - https://bit.ly/3zGE3R2

Yesterday more than 60 Peter Mac patients, carers and family members joined us for our annual Patient Parliament. Participants were guided through the workshop with skill and compassion by our Patient Experience and Wellbeing team, giving us the chance to gather important insights to help improve the way we deliver cancer care. Co-designing services alongside our patients and carers and learning from their personal experiences is central to everything we do at Peter Mac. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part. We also officially launched Peter Mac's new Patient and Carer Support Service (PACS), Cancer School online support program, and the new Peer Navigator program in collaboration with Northern Health. All these initiatives are aimed at supporting each person with cancer in the way that best suits them. A big thank you to Ged Kearney MP for coming along and joining a great panel discussion.

Congratulations to Intensive Care Unit Outreach Clinical Nurse Consultant Ami Young on receiving the Advanced Practice Nursing Fellowship in Oncology. A new collaboration with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the personalised fellowship will see Ami partner with a Canadian colleague to facilitate knowledge exchange and development. She will also take a two-week trip to Toronto. Ami looks forward to making international connections and using her learnings to improve Peter Mac's critical care oncology nursing pathway and Advanced Life Support program.