Victorians to benefit from world leading cancer research

Cancer survival rates in Australia have improved by around 20% since the 1980’s according to a new study.

Speaking to 3AW’s Neil Mitchell, clinician and researcher at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Professor Grant McArthur said in-roads are being made on cancer research.

‘There’s a critical mass of expertise in research, patient care, education and we can really continue to accelerate these improvements in outcomes for patients’ he said.

Recently appointed as the Executive Director of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Professor McArthur said it’s an exciting time for cancer research in Victoria.

‘Level 13 of the Cancer Centre will now be a collaborative world leading hub in cancer immunotherapies’.

‘It’s a completely new tool we have in fighting cancer, we have surgery, radiation, chemotherapy…the early results are quite outstanding’.

Professor McArthur said the centre will be also be investing in supportive care research.

‘I want to get the fear out of cancer for Victorians, if they do get the diagnosis, they know there going to get the very best treatment’.

Click PLAY to hear the full interview.