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THE HON NICOLA ROXON MP

Former Minister for Health and Ageing

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Turns 60

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Sixty years since it was founded, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in East Melbourne remains one of the leading cancer treatment and research institutes in Australia and the world.

PDF printable version of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Turns 60 (PDF 19 KB)

27 April 2009

Sixty years since it was founded, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in East Melbourne remains one of the leading cancer treatment and research institutes in Australia and the world.

A ceremony marking the anniversary today was attended by three of Sir Peter MacCallum’s children, together with leaders of the Centre. I am very pleased to add my message of appreciation to that of the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, for the Centre’s work and to congratulate them on the anniversary.

Peter Mac began as a treatment centre in 1949 but quickly developed a closely aligned research program. Today, it provides high quality multidisciplinary and holistic care and support to cancer patients and their families, at all stages of illness; carries out cutting edge cancer research; and provides education and training for continuing generations of clinicians.

Fighting cancer is a very high priority for the Rudd Government on all fronts, including prevention, treatment, care and research. This is reflected in our funding to Peter Mac including:

  • $3.4 million in research grants awarded in the past two years under the Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme.
  • $4.1 million over four years until June 2009 to auspice EdCaN - the National Cancer Nursing Education project.
  • $250,000 through the Building Cancer Support Networks Grants Program to support people affected by cancer, including adolescents and young adults and people with lung cancer.
  • around $3 million a year for radiotherapy treatment equipment.
Since taking office, the Australian Government has already invested more than $350 million in cancer alone, including:
  • $87.4 million to continue and expand the national bowel cancer screening program;
  • $30 million for cancer centres in Melbourne and Adelaide;
  • $15 million for prostate cancer research centres in Brisbane and Melbourne;
  • $31 million for a new program to subsidise external breast prostheses for women who have experienced breast cancer;
  • $15 million to better support adolescents and young adults living with cancer – through youth cancer networks; and
  • $12 million for the McGrath Foundation for breast cancer nurses.

For more information contact the Minister’s office on 02 6277 7220

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