Professor Prudence Francis, MB BS, B MED SC, MD, FRACP, FAHMS, AM  

Prue is a woman of sincerity, whose work has made a profound difference to countless women who receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Her cancer research and clinical care impacts the lives of women and their families, and her teaching provides a powerful role modelling for younger doctors and scientists about how to work with verity.  

Prue was born in Melbourne, one of eight children. She was educated for 13 years at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak. In Year 12 she was captain of Mornane and Dux of her year.   

Graduating in 1976, Prue studied Medicine at the University of Melbourne. After graduation, she worked as a doctor at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne. In 1990, she moved to New York City where she completed specialist training in Medical Oncology and then worked in cancer research. In 1994 she returned to Australia and was appointed as a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and a visiting Medical Oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital.  

Since 2003, Prue has been the Clinical Head of Breast Medical Oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She is a Clinical Professor with the University of Melbourne. She is a breast cancer clinician researcher committed to improving the outcomes and care for patients with early and advanced breast cancer through clinical trials, associated research and education. Prue is known for her leadership of the SOFT trial that led to international change in the management of young women with breast cancer.  

In 2015 she was awarded the Medical Oncology Group of Australia Cancer Achievement award. In 2022 Prue was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medical research in the field of oncology, and to education.

Prue and her husband have 3 children, including Dr Rachel Stewart (Class of 2013) and Dr Anna Stewart (Class of 2015).