Welcome to Episode 29 of The Oncology Podcast’s Experts On Point series, brought to you by The Oncology Network. Hosted by Rachael Babin with Guest, Professor Mark Shackleton
How do we tackle inequities in cancer care? What role do collaborative networks play in ensuring better outcomes for patients and their families? And how can molecular tumour boards bridge the gap for those outside metropolitan areas, giving them access to life-saving treatments and clinical trials?
To explore these critical questions, our Host Rachael Babin is joined by Professor Mark Shackleton—Director of Oncology at Alfred Health, Professor of Oncology at Monash University, Chair of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Ltd, and Co-Director of the Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC).
The Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC) is transforming cancer care by creating networks that ensure equitable access to precision oncology across Victoria, regardless of a patient’s location.
Did You Know?
• The MPCCC Fellowship program embeds early-career oncologists in partner hospitals to build expertise and connections
• The Precision Oncology Program has processed over 1,000 patient referrals
• 20% of referred patients receive recommendations for targeted therapies matched to their cancer’s molecular profile
• 5% of patients connected to clinical trials they wouldn’t otherwise access
• Regular molecular tumour boards discuss 5-10 cases per session
• MPCCC has delivered a significant increase in regional cancer patient referrals, especially from Gippsland
Resources:
OMICO Cancer Screening Program – CaSP
Speaker:
Professor Mark Shackleton
Professor Mark Shackleton (MBBS PhD FRACP) is the Director of Oncology at Alfred Health, a Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Monash University, the Chair of Melanoma and Skin Trials, and a Co-Director of the MPCCC.
After training in medical oncology at the Ludwig Institute in Melbourne, Prof Shackleton undertook PhD studies at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan, USA, with resultant publications in Nature, Cell, Cancer Cell and the New England Journal of Medicine.
He was awarded the 2006 Victorian Premier’s Award for Medical Research, a 2010 NHMRC Achievement Award, a 2011 Pfizer Australia Fellowship, and the Australian Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year in 2012.
Professor Shackleton’s main clinical interests are centred on patients diagnosed with skin cancer, including melanoma. His research interests include cancer biology, developmental biology, oncogenic signalling pathways and clinical trials.
Host:
Rachael Babin
Rachael Babin is Host of The Oncology Podcast, Editor-in-Chief of The Oncology Newsletter, and Publisher of Oncology News Australia and The Oncology Network.
With a background in oncology communications and academic publishing, Rachael is happiest sitting behind the mic chatting to interesting people about the impact their work makes in oncology.
Connect on Twitter: @OncologyNewsAus
