More than 150 clinicians, researchers, consumers, government representatives and healthcare partners came together on Friday the 17th of July for the Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC) Annual Forum 2026, celebrating the power of collaboration to improve cancer care across Victoria.

The evening opened with an address from Professor Euan Wallace AM, who reflected on the importance of funding and building a truly state-wide cancer system through partnership. He highlighted the progress made by MPCCC over the past year and the collective commitment required to ensure every Victorian has access to the best possible cancer care, regardless of where they live.

The centrepiece of the forum was "Precision Medicine in Action". An in-conversation session that demonstrated the real-world impact of precision oncology through the story of patient Georgina.

Georgina generously shared her experience through a recorded video, describing how her cancer journey was transformed after her case was discussed at an MPCCC Molecular Tumour Board. Her story illustrated how collaboration between clinicians, researchers and genomic experts uncovered a previously undetected genetic alteration, ultimately leading to access to a clinical trial and opening new treatment options that otherwise would not have been available.

Following Georgina's story, Professor Gary Richardson OAM, Dr Emmy Sneath, Dr Adithya Balasubramanian and Professor Roger Daly took the audience behind the scenes, explaining how multidisciplinary care, advanced genomic testing, translational research and clinical trials work together to deliver truly personalised cancer treatment.

The discussion highlighted a powerful message: precision medicine is not the work of one individual or one institution, it is made possible through collaboration across disciplines, health services and research organisations.

The forum also featured an address from Michael Galea MLC, recognising the importance of continued investment and partnership in cancer research and healthcare innovation.

Looking to the future, MPCCC Co-Directors Professor Mark Shackleton and Professor Melissa Southey OAM outlined the consortium's next chapter, including expanded access across Victoria, new regional partnerships and continued investment in precision medicine, research and consumer leadership.

As the evening concluded, one message resonated throughout the room: every scientific discovery, every multidisciplinary discussion and every research breakthrough has the potential to change the course of a person's life.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, including our speakers, partners, consumers and healthcare professionals, for helping make this year's forum such a memorable evening and thank you to the Victorian Government for their continued investment. Together, we are continuing to build a more connected, innovative and equitable future for cancer care.

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