Radiation Therapy Bunkers - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Hours Open
10am - 4pm (last tour at 3:30pm)
Address
St Andrews Place, East Melbourne
Architects
NA
Year Built
1994
Building Type
Health
What is Open
Radiation Therapy Bunkers
Tour Frequency
Two groups of 15 every 30 minutes
Tram Stop
Stop 10: Parliament Station on routes 31, 112 and 109
Description
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre was established in 1949 and is considered one of the world's leading cancer centres. Amazing advances in technology, science and treatment have been embraced and enabled by this dedicated cancer centre. Treatment outcomes today are vastly different from those of even 10 years ago, mostly due to the investment in high technology equipment, the development of new drugs and medicines and an ongoing investment in staff training and education to provide expertise across all disciplines in the management of cancer.
Significance
One of the major technical advances in cancer treatment has been the development of the cancer radiotherapy machine known as a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator utilises high energy X-Rays to sterilise and destroy cancer cells, breaking genetic material which helps to control and cure cancers. The linear accelerator is used to focus intense beams of radiation directly at sites where cancer has been identified through sophisticated medical images such as CT, MR and PET scans. The modern linear accelerator is a powerful treatment option which plays a key role in the treatment of cancers located anywhere within the body.
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre operates 16 of Victoria's 38 Linear Accelerators, of which 6 are housed in the radiation bunkers in East Melbourne. A modern linear accelerator equipped with Image Guided Technology costs in excess of $3 million dollars and the bunker in which the machine is housed can cost up to a further $3 million to build.
What’s Open?
Melbourne Open is fortunate to be able to offer groups the chance to be escorted into the Radiation Oncology Department, where you will be given a brief overview of the wonderful work the team undertakes at Peter Mac. You will then be shown the insides of a radiation therapy bunker and hear about the treatment procedure using the linear accelerator.
Melbourne Open House is a free event and we hope that you will be able to show your support through making a donation to the Peter MacCallum Foundation, whose wonderful efforts in cancer research are making a significant difference to all our lives. Peter Mac donation buckets will be at many of the Open House venues.
