Peter Mac medical oncologist Associate Professor Tom John will release an album next month, with a third of proceeds going to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, to fund vital cancer research.

Associate Professor John is a medical oncologist specialising in lung, thymus, mesothelioma, and familial cancers. Under the moniker Mayhemtom he uses music and song writing to process what happens at work, which helps him focus.

“I view it as cathartic and therapeutic,” he says, “it’s very much refocused another part of my brain, which has been wonderful.”

Through university, Associate Professor John was a working musician playing across Melbourne, before stepping back to focus on his studies.

During a stressful period at work five years ago he decided to revisit his creative outlet.

“I made a conscious decision to go back and try to play a bit more, and through that some songs started coming through.”

“Before I knew it, I had an album’s worth of songs.”

Listen to the single ‘Falling’ and read more about it here.

Recorded between Melbourne lockdowns, Associate Professor John’s work supporting patients and families is a strong theme across the twelve songs. They also address themes of love, family, politics, and climate change.

Asked about donating proceeds to the Foundation, Associate Professor John is emphatic,” that’s a better use of the funds than it coming to me.”

The release of playing music helps Associate Professor John continue delivering the very best quality care for his patients.

“It helps me get through what I do day to day, which I love. I am absolutely passionate about what I do as it is a privilege to look after people during their darkest hour, but it inevitably does have a cost.

Associate Professor John is also a translational researcher, taking fundamental lab research into the clinic to help develop new treatments and approaches to care.

Mayhemtom’s album launch is at The Toff in Town in Melbourne on 13 October. His seven-piece band features another Peter Mac clinician researcher on backing vocals.

‘The Art of Falling While Flying’ is out on 9 September, with a third of proceeds going to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.