Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council Australia is a national, nonprofit organisation which aims to promote cancer-control policies and to reduce the illness caused by cancer in Australia. It advises various groups, including the government, on cancer-related issues, acts as an advocate for cancer patients and their friends, and is a major funding contributor towards health research, prevention and education.
![]() | |
Founded | 1961 |
---|---|
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Tanya Buchanan, CEO |
Website | www |
Background
Cancer Council Australia formed in 1961 as the Australian Cancer Society.[1] It was renamed Cancer Council Australia in 1997 and appointed Alan Coates its inaugural CEO.[1]
Cancer Council Australia includes eight member organisations, which operate in their individual states and territories:
- Cancer Council Australian Capital Territory
- Cancer Council New South Wales
- Cancer Council Northern Territory
- Cancer Council Queensland
- Cancer Council South Australia
- Cancer Council Tasmania
- Cancer Council Victoria
- Cancer Council Western Australia
Dietary advice
Cancer Council Australia advocates a diet rich in plant-based foods to prevent cancer such as at least two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables, including legumes and at least four servings of whole grains per day.[2] They also encourage people to consume at least two and a half servings of dairy products per day and at least two servings of oily fish per week.[3][4]
Cancer Council Australia advice people to limit their processed meat and red meat intake as they increase risk of bowel cancer.[5][6]
Events
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
One of Cancer Council's major fundraisers is Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. On 26 May 2005, the event broke the Guinness Book of Records record for the "World's Largest Simultaneous Tea Party" with around 1 million Australians participating and supporting Cancer Council on the day.[7][8]
Daffodil Day
Daffodil Day is the Australian Cancer Council's most iconic fund-raising event. It takes place in August each year.[9]
Junk Free June
Junk Free June is a new, healthier, fundraiser, supporting Cancer Council Queensland's work in cancer research. Junk Free June encourages participants to give up junk food such as packaged snacks high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and trans fats.[10] According to World Cancer Research Fund International, approximately one third of the most common cancers can be prevented through a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity.[11][12]
Legacy
The Cancer Council has contributed a lot to Australia's society by helping people who are suffering with cancer or any cancerous illness. The Clive Deverall Society[13] was launched in 2004 by the Cancer Council Western Australia as a way of thanking people who have included a gift in their Will to Cancer Council Western Australia.
References
- Cancer Council Australia. "History". Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- "Information sheet: Foods from plant sources and cancer". cancer.org.au. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- "Dairy foods and calcium and cancer risk". cancer.org.au. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- "Fish and omega-3 fatty acids and cancer risk". cancercouncil.com.au. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- "Meat and cancer risk". cancer.org.au. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- "Red meat, processed meat and cancer". cancercouncil.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- "Largest tea party (multiple venues)". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- "Largest tea party (multiple venues)". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- DD Appeal at cancer.org.au; retrieved 6 October 2020
- "Junk Free June". Cancer Council Queensland. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- "Our Cancer Prevention Recommendations". World Cancer Research Fund International. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- Scott, Jody (31 May 2016). "Why you should have a junk free June". Vogue Australia. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- Our way of saying thank you - Cancer Council Western Australia