Because cancer doesn’t affect every person the same way —

We’re here for everyone.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. That’s why we’re here to support everyone reduce their cancer risk and get the information and support they need, doing all the things big and small that don’t give cancer a chance.

From making sure our kids are sun-safe at school, working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities to increase screening rates and embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion across our workforce.

We’re here for everyone, for life.

We’re committed to Reconciliation, Diversity & Inclusion

Eliminating cervical cancer globally

Thanks to advances in cancer research, and successful vaccination and screening programs, Australia is on track to be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer by as early as 2028.

However, nearby countries in the Western Pacific are not yet benefiting from these advances.

With funding from the Minderoo Foundation, we have committed to supporting cervical cancer elimination in PNG and Vanuatu.

Cancer Council NSW is now leading the Eliminate Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific (ECCWP) project.

Here are 4 ways the project has already made considerable progress:

1

Rolling out HPV vaccination programs with government support

The ECCWP project team has gained support from the PNG and Vanuatu governments to roll out HPV vaccination programs in schools for girls aged 9-14.

2

Delivering equitable cervical screening for women aged 30-54

The project team has worked with international partners to secure medical equipment and supplies to offer screening to women aged 30-54 in PNG and Vanuatu.

3

Improving access to cervical cancer treatment and care

The team has begun mobilising support from high income countries to improve access for women in PNG and Vanuatu to cervical cancer treatment and care.

4

Developing efficient digital infrastructure to improve outcomes

The team has begun developing digital canSCREEN registries to help keep women in PNG and Vanuatu up to date on vaccination, screening, treatment and follow ups.

Where to next:

Year 1 of the 5-year project has been deemed a success, so the programs will be expanded across PNG and Vanuatu in the coming years.

Our plan to eliminate cervical cancer in PNG and Vanuatu

Standing up for regional and rural Australians

1 in 5
people affected by cancer in regional and rural NSW skip appointments because of out of pocket costs involved with travelling to treatment in urban areas.

We know that people with cancer living outside metropolitan areas experience poorer outcomes compared to people in cities.

1 in 5 people affected by cancer in regional and rural skip appointments because of the huge out of pocket costs involved with travelling to treatment in urban areas.

This is why we have long advocated for action to ensure that everyone in NSW has the same opportunities to access the care they need – regardless of where they live.

In 2022, we celebrated a major Cancer Council NSW advocacy win: The NSW Government agreed to improve financial support for people in regional and rural NSW who need to travel to for healthcare to the tune of $149.5m.

$149.5m
committed by NSW Government to improve the Isolated Patient Transport and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS).
Fuel rebate up from 22 cents/km to 40 cents/km.
Accommodation up from $43/night to $75/night.
People attending clinical trials are now eligible for assistance for the first time.

When I had cancer, the financial burden was freaking me out more than the cancer itself.

When I was going through treatment, IPTAAS didn’t help me much. Now, it will make a massive difference for patients.”

Ryan Channells, cancer survivor

Read more about this significant breakthrough

We’re here for the next generation

Food marketing has been found to significantly influence children’s food choices and eating habits. And limiting unhealthy food marketing to children is an effective way to address poor diet and obesity – risk factors for many cancers.

Despite this, 1 in 5 advertisements that children see on public transport in NSW promote unhealthy food.

We’re calling on the NSW Government to make a change.

Learn more about this campaign

Looking into the future

1 in 2people will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.
4.56mcancer cases will be diagnosed by 2044.

Almost 1 in 2 Australians will be affected by cancer by the age of 85.

Over the next 25 years (2020-2044), our research shows that 4.56m people in Australia will receive a cancer diagnosis.1

All of us are affected in some way – so cancer is personal.

And it takes many hands to take on cancer.

But thanks to your support, our amazing community of volunteers, fundraisers, advocates and champions…

We’re here for all Australians affected by cancer.

Together, we’re here for life.

Keep reading ›› Annual Report 2022: We’re here for life

1 Cancer incidence and mortality in Australia from 2020 to 2044 and an exploratory analysis of the potential effect of treatment delays during the COVID-19 pandemic: a statistical modelling study