Dr. James McCracken

Dr James McCraken

Medical Oncologist

Dr James McCracken is a Medical Oncologist, with expertise in the management and care of patients with breast and gastrointestinal (oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, bowel and liver) cancers. He seeks to develop a holistic, supportive and team-based approach to the management of his patients, that puts the patient at the centre of a personalised treatment plan. 


Dr. McCracken is a Medical Oncologist with the breast service at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, where he is also undertaking a PhD in the clinical utility of circulating tumour DNA as a predictive and prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. 


Dr. McCracken has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology from LaTrobe University and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Sydney. He undertook his medical studies at the Australian National University in Canberra, where he won the AMA Leadership prize in his graduating year. He subsequently undertook his internship, and physician training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, before completing his Medical Oncology training through the Victorian Medical Oncology Training Programme, at St Vincent's, Northern, Western and Austin Hospitals. He subsequently completed a 2 year fellowship in Breast and Gastrointestinal Oncology Clinical Trials at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute at the Austin Hospital  in January 2020.  He was awarded fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in January 2019. He is also a member of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, the European Society of Medical Oncology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He also sits on the EVIQ breast, upper gastrointestinal and oncology emergencies committees. 


Dr. McCracken has published numerous first author papers in academic journals, and has presented at both international & national conferences. He is often an invited speaker at educational events, and is passionate about educating junior doctors, being the founder and course convener of the Melbourne Cancer Course.  His areas of interest are breast and gastrointestinal oncology, specifically in ctDNA, genomics and prognostic and predictive biomarkers that seek to personalise treatment, and minimise toxicity. Outside of work, James enjoys cycling, running and spending time with his wife and two children.


Dr. McCracken consults at the Melbourne Breast Unit, and always has available appointments for new patients. To make an appointment for a first consultation or for any further information please call the unit on (03) 9419 1166.

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