Find cutting edge cancer clinical trials near you using the new Victorian Cancer Trials Link.

Search now

Familial cancer centres


Familial or family cancer centres help support people who are worried about their risk of developing cancer due to their family history.

Services offered at familial cancer centres include counselling, medical advice, research opportunities and information on topics such as inheriting cancer, individual risk and screening. They also provide genetic testing where appropriate.

Familial cancer centres provide services from sites in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. A visit is free and confidential, and interpreters are available.

Making an appointment

If you're concerned about your family's cancer history, discuss it with your doctor who can refer you to a familial cancer centre. Types of families often referred to a centre include:

  • families with three or more individuals with a specific type of cancer – often breast, ovarian or bowel cancer.
  • individuals with multiple cancers diagnosed at an unusually young age.

During the appointment, your family history will be reviewed, and you'll be given an estimate of your inherited risk of cancer. Options for early detection and prevention strategies may also be discussed. The first appointment will take about an hour, and you may need to visit the centre more than once.

After you attend a familial cancer centre, you and your doctor will receive a detailed letter about your visit. This will include recommendations for follow-up care.

Speak to a cancer nurse

Public familial cancer centres

Austin Health Clinical Genetics Service

Family Cancer Centre, Austin Health Campus

Level 8, Harold Stokes Building, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg VIC 3084

Ph: (03) 9496 3027

Fax: (03) 9496 4385

Email: genetics@austin.org.au

Find out more information

Parkville Familial Cancer Centre

Parkville Familial Cancer Centre is a joint service incorporating Peter MacCallum and Royal Melbourne Familial Cancer Centres.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Familial Cancer Centre

Level 1, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Ph: (03) 8559 5322

Fax: (03) 8559 7371

Email: familialcancer@petermac.org

Find out more information

 

The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Department of Genomic Medicine and Familial Cancer

Level 2 Centre, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville VIC 3050

Ph: (03) 9342 7151

Fax: (03) 9342 4267

Email: familycancer@mh.org.au

Find out more information

Monash Health Familial Cancer Centre

Monash Medical Centre

246 Clayton Road, Clayton VIC 3168

Ph: (03) 9594 2009

Fax: (03) 9594 6046

Email: familial.cancer@monashhealth.org

Find out more information

Alfred Health Clinical Genetics & Genomics Service

The Alfred Centre

99 Commercial Road, Melbourne VIC 3004

Ph: (03) 9076 8554

Email: genetics@alfred.org.au

 

Page last updated:

The information on this webpage was produced by Cancer Council Victoria (2022). This webpage was last updated in February 2022.

Talking bubbles icon

Questions about cancer?

Call or email our experienced cancer nurses for information and support.

Contact a cancer nurse