Dr Benjamin Lawrence

Dr Lawrence is a medical oncologist specialising in gastro-intestinal cancers. He also has a special interest in the pancreas, neuroendocrine tumours, and cancer genomics.

Ben first graduated from the University of Otago with a BSc with first class honours and an MSc with Distinction. He then completed his medical degree at the University of Auckland in 2003, and registered as a specialist in 2011.

He has been recognised with several prizes and scholarships. In 2008 he was awarded the Gavin and Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship to support his time as a Drug Development Scholar at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Scottsdale Arizona, USA. In 2009 he was awarded the Murray Jackson Clinical Fellowship to complete his two-year Research Fellowship at Yale University in Connecticut, USA.

Ben returned to Auckland in 2012 to work as both a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, and as a Medical Oncologist at Auckland Hospital, where he is currently the leader of the Gastrointestinal Cancer team.

Ben works with other researchers on a number of projects, including leading a nationwide translational project involving tumour collection that involves collaboration with specialists across the country. With a team of talented researchers at the University of Auckland, he also undertakes multi-level genomic profiling of Neuroendocrine Tumours using cutting-edge gene sequencing technologies. The project aims to find the unique combination of abnormal genes that are particular each individual cancer, and then apply this knowledge to choose a treatment strategy for each patient that matches the specific gene changes in their tumour.

Every journey begins with a first step. Our patients first step is to get a referral from you as their GP or Specialist. Once you have provided the patients medical history and the results of recent investigations such as blood tests and scans, we will work towards ensuring the best possible outcome for your patient.

The referral information can be supplied by:
1. Via Medtechs Specialists & Referrals portal
2. Emailing us at admin@canopycancercare.co.nz or via fax (09) 638 7295
3. Completing and sending a referral form directly from our website. www.canopycancercare.co.nz/referrals

As soon as we have the referral information our Administrative Services Manager will contact the patient to make an appointment with one of our oncologists or haematologists.