Improving health and patient outcomes Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases that involves abnormal growth of cells in potentially every part of our bodies. Some cancers are serious while others can easily be cured.  Survival rates of many types of cancers continue to improve, thanks to early detection, and timely, high quality management.

Nurse with cancer patient Surgeons
  1. 1950

    Dr. M. Vera Peters published her landmark study that suggested early-stage Hodgkin’s was potentially curable with radiation therapy

  2. 1951

    In October 1951, Dr. Johns and his team made history with his innovative device, the Cobalt-60 Beam Therapy Unit

  3. 1958

    The Ontario Cancer Institute was established at the Princess Margaret Hospital

  4. 1959

    Dr. Huggins continued to explore the impacts of interrupted cell signalling

  5. 1959

    The purification process of vinblastine was patented in the name of Drs. Beer, Noble and doctoral student Dr. J.H. Cutts

  6. 1960

  7. 1966

    Dr. Charles Huggins was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology

  8. 1970

  9. 1971

    Dr. McCulloch established the bone marrow transplantation program at Prince Margaret Hospital

  10. 1975

    Dr. Peters published the first controlled study to demonstrate that lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy had success outcomes equal to or better than more radical procedures

  11. 1980

  12. 1990

  13. 1991

    Charles Hollenberg accepted the position of President and CEO of the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation (OCTRF)

  14. 1991

    The Division of Palliative Care in McGill University’s Department of Oncology was founded

  15. 2000

  16. 2002

    Dr. Peters’ observations continued to be met with skepticism

  17. 2003

    Bernard Langer - Cancer care champion

  18. 2008

    To help advanced practical applications of his scientific discoveries, Dr. Mak co-founded Agios Pharmaceuticals

  19. 2010

  20. 2020

About the CMHF

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.

This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON