Cancer Agencies and Organisations
There are many different organisations that aim to improve cancer control in Australia.
Cancer Australia was established to improve cancer outcomes in Australia through national leadership by collaborating with, and adding value to, the efforts of these groups and individuals.
These pages provide insight into “who does what” and links to other cancer organisations and agencies with responsibilities for cancer control. It is not intended to be a complete list.
Government cancer agencies, departments and organisations
Department of Health and Ageing
The Department of Health and Ageing administers many of the Australian Government’s cancer control activities including programs aimed at improving cancer prevention and early detection, such as the BreastScreen Australia, National Cervical Screening and National Bowel Cancer Screening programs. The Cancer Control section provides advice to the Minister for Health and Ageing about cancer control policy.
Cancer Australia
Cancer Australia is an Australian Government agency established to help reduce the impact of cancer for all Australians. Cancer Australia provides national leadership by liaising and working in partnership with consumers and the wide range of organisations, groups and service providers with an interest in cancer control. Cancer Australia also makes recommendations to the Australian Government about cancer policy and priorities.
National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers
The National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers has been established by Cancer Australia to provide national leadership to improve outcomes for people with, or at risk of, gynaecological cancers, and increase awareness and education about gynaecological cancers for medical and allied health professionals.
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre
The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre was established in 1995 by the Australian Government in response to community concerns about the human cost of breast cancer. In 1999 the Government provided funding to expand the Centre’s work to include ovarian cancer. The Centre continues to work with consumers and practitioners to improve outcomes for women affected by these two common cancers.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
The Institute provides information and statistics in various subject areas of health and welfare. In collaboration with the Australian Association of Cancer Registries and other organisations, the AIHW produces regular reports of cancer incidence, mortality, survival, screening and other data.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
The NHMRC is Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research and providing advice about the conduct of health and medical research. It provides substantial funding each year for cancer research for laboratory, clinical and population research projects, fellowships and programs.
State and territory government departments and agencies
Information about state and territory government cancer control programs and agencies can be found on their websites. Links are provided below:
NSW – Cancer Institute NSW
Victoria
Queensland – Queensland Health
Western Australia – WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network, Department of Health
South Australia – Department of Health
Tasmania – Cancer Screening and Control Service, Department of Human Services and Health
ACT – ACT Health
Northern Territory – Department of Health and Community Services
Cancer consumer and community-funded cancer organisations
There are many hundreds of consumer support and advocacy groups, and cancer charities across Australia. Here we provide links only to those that are national consumer organisations and the peak community-funded organisations. In most cases you can find links to state and territory or more special interest groups on their websites, provided below.
For information about support groups in your area, please call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
The Cancer Councils
There are community-funded Cancer Councils in each state and territory, which:
- undertake and fund cancer research;
- implement programs and campaigns to prevent and control cancer;
- provide information and support for people affected by cancer.
Links to state and territory
Cancer Council sites
The national body, The Cancer Council Australia , provides advice on practices and policies to help prevent, detect and treat cancer, and advocates for people affected by cancer for best treatment and supportive care.
Brain Tumour Australia
Brain Tumour Australia is a community-based organisation providing support and information to people diagnosed with brain tumours and their families.
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Breast Cancer Network Australia is the peak national organisation for Australians personally affected by breast cancer. It works to ensure that Australians diagnosed with breast cancer and their families receive the best information, treatment, care and support possible.
Cancer Voices Australia
Cancer Voices Australia is a national consumer advocacy organisation representing Australians affected by cancer. It aims to ensure the voices of people, their carers and families affected by cancer are heard at a national level.
There are also Cancer Voices organisations in most states and territories.
CanTeen
CanTeen - The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer is the national support organisation for young people (aged 12-24) living with cancer.
Leukemia Foundation
The Leukaemia Foundation is the national organisation dedicated to the care and cure of people living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and other related blood disorders, and support for their families.
Myeloma Foundation Australia
The Myeloma Foundation of Australia provides information and support to people affected by myeloma.
National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation funds all forms of research into the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
National Ovarian Cancer Network (OvCa)
The National Ovarian Cancer Network (OvCa Australia) provides awareness campaigns and information services to educate women and medical practitioners about the risk factors for, and early warning signs of, ovarian cancer.
Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the national body for prostate cancer in Australia. It funds research and other efforts to reduce the impact of prostate cancer on the community.
Cancer professionals’ organisations
Australian Cancer Network
The Australian Cancer Network aims to improve cancer management in Australia by linking professional bodies and societies with an interest in cancer. It develops and disseminates evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of cancer, which are used in Australia and internationally.
Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA)
COSA is the peak national body representing health professionals whose main work is cancer control.
Cancer Nurses’ Society of Australia (CNSA)
CNSA is a membership-based organisation that has been developed to serve cancer nurses in Australia. CNSA is committed to achieving and promoting excellence in cancer care through the professional contributions of nurses.
Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA)
MOGA is a Special Society of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and a sub-group of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia, representing medical oncologists.
Palliative Care Australia
Palliative Care Australia’s members are the eight state and territory palliative care associations and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine. The membership of these associations includes palliative care service providers, clinicians, allied health professionals, academics, consumers and members of the general community.