Patients and carers
Patients, families and carers are at the centre of everything we do. At Peter Mac you will receive world-class cancer care and treatment, informed by the latest research. We will empower you with information and support throughout your cancer journey.
Health professionals
We work closely with clinicians to deliver the best cancer detection, treatment and care. Refer a patient, find out about our treatments and services and access high quality resources.
Research
We are Australia’s largest cancer research centre. More than 750 laboratory and clinical researchers are improving treatment and care and finding cures for cancer. Learn more about our researchers and their ground-breaking work.
Latest news
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Peter Mac gets $3 million boost for research preventing surgery complications
US award for Peter Mac researcher
Game-changing Peter Mac research destroys cancer-causing RNA
Peter Mac awarded $3 million MRFF genomics grant
Peter Mac to open to the public for Open House Melbourne
New designs chosen for Peter Mac’s bereavement bags
Dr Lavinia Spain
Biography
Dr Lavinia Spain is a Medical Oncologist who treats melanoma and genitourinary cancers (with a particular interest in renal cell carcinoma). She obtained her medical degree with honours from the University of Melbourne in 2006 and undertook her Medical Oncology advanced training in Melbourne. Subsequently she spent 4 years working at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London as a Clinical and Translational Research Fellow in the Renal and Melanoma Unit.
Lavinia completed an MD(Res) degree based at the Francis Crick Institute, through the Institute of Cancer Research in London, focused on novel approaches to the analysis of tumour heterogeneity and evolution. She has an interest in side effects from immunotherapy and has published many peer-reviewed journal articles on the management of immune-related adverse events. She is an invited member of the ESMO Faculty of Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy for 2020-2024.
Dr Lavinia Spain
First steps to navigating Peter Mac
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We offer care that goes beyond treatment
Peter Mac has a wellbeing approach to care. We base this on a fundamental belief that the best cancer care treats the person and the disease. The Wellbeing Centre is a sanctuary for patients, their families and carers. It is a gathering place that is open, accepting and welcoming for all.
Cancer can be hard to deal with and we know that getting treatment is only part of it. You might have other challenges and need help with them. We offer many kinds of help for you, your loved ones, and your carers. Each resource can help you deal with how cancer affects your body, emotions and money.
The Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service is a team of health and other professionals who specialise in the care of young people aged 15 to 25. We work with you and your healthcare team to support you at all stages of the cancer journey, anywhere in Victoria.
You are a carer if you’re taking care of someone with cancer. You might be a family member, friend or neighbour. Our wonderful volunteer service is here to help to make things a little easier for you and the person you’re caring for. They offer a range of support, resources, and items to help you.
The Psychosocial Oncology Program is a multidisciplinary team. This includes clinical psychologists, social workers, PCLNs, and psychiatrists/psychiatric registrars. They assess patients at risk of mental health problems. They will also assess and treat those with current mental health problems.