The first medical description of pernicious anaemia is from 1821. It is written by Dr James Combe and describes a previously well 47 year old corn-merchant who presented with pallor, weakness, and neurological symptoms. It would take over a hundred years before we would know how to treat this condition, and another decade after that to understand why the treatment worked.

Vitamin B12 is an essential component of our diet and only found in animal products. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can present with fatigue, anaemia (macrocytic), and neurological symptoms. The most at risk from a dietary perspective are vegetarians, vegans, and the elderly. Patients may also have an autoimmune condition (pernicious anaemia) that interferes with gastric parietal cells and intrinsic factor; the way our body can absorb vitamin B12 from our diet.

This is the story of vitamin B12.

Our special guest:

Our special guest is Professor Ken Sikaris who is a chemical pathologist and Director of Chemical Pathology at Dorevitch Pathology.

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One of the most difficult cancers to detect early has been lung cancer. Patients often present with advanced disease that and can often be fatal.

In April 2025, a new National Lung Cancer Screening program has been rolled out in Australia to detect asymptomatic patients with a significant smoking history (30 Pack-Year). Suitable patients are eligible for a free low-dose CT (computer tomography) scan on their lungs to identify any potential lesions suspicious for cancer.

This is the story of lung cancer screening.

Our special guests:

A/Professor Nicole Rankin is Head of the Evaluation and Implementation Science Unit in Melbourne School of Population and Global Health (University of Melbourne) and led the team that developed the Australian National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines.

Dr Julie Teague is an Anatomical Pathologist with an interest in thoracic and gastrointestinal pathology.

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In 1966, the Chief of Urology asked the Chief of Pathology at the Minneapolis VA Hospital to develop a system to communicate the results of prostate cancer to researchers. The Chief of Pathology was Donald Gleason and he developed a system that would revolutionise our understanding of prostate cancer. Today, every prostate cancer worldwide is classified using the Gleason score, named after Donald Gleason.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and accounts for 15% of all male cancers. Its incidence of prostate cancer is estimated to double by 2040.

This is the story of prostate cancer.

Our special guests:

Professor Fiona Maclean is a Clinical Professor, Anatomical Pathologist, author, past President of the Australasian Division of the International Academy of Pathology (IAP), and advisor in Pathology Artificial Intelligence.

Dr Joanna Olphert is a urologist and robotic surgeon involved in genitourinary reconstructive surgery, robotic uro-oncology, and open complex peritoneal surgery.

Dr Carole Harris is a medical oncologist, senior lecturer, and senior research fellow.

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