Cancer Council Victoria

Cancer Council Victoria Cancer Council Victoria is a cancer charity committed to preventing cancer, empowering people and saving lives. Prevent Cancer. Empower Patients. Save Lives.

Every year, more than 30,500 Victorians will be diagnosed with cancer, and nearly 11,000 will die from cancer. The number of cases will increase as our population grows and ages. Survival will also improve as we get better at early detection and treatment of cancer. Since our establishment in 1936, Cancer Council Victoria has developed an international reputation for our innovative work in cancer research, prevention and support. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we play a leading role in reducing the impact of all cancers on all people.

The free bowel screening test could save your life – just like it saved Laurie’s.Laurie felt healthy and had no symptoms...
26/02/2026

The free bowel screening test could save your life – just like it saved Laurie’s.

Laurie felt healthy and had no symptoms. But after he did the test, he found out he had bowel cancer.

Laurie is grateful to be here to tell his story as part of Cancer Council Victoria’s bowel screening campaign.

“I urge everyone to do their bowel screening test as soon as they get it. If you’ve lost your test or it’s expired, request a new one and do it. Don’t take the risk, it saved my life, and it could save yours too,” he said.

People aged 45 to 49 can now request their free test kit through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, while people aged 50 to 74 automictically receive a bowel screening kit in the mail every two years to the address on their Medicare account.

Request your free bowel screening test kit today at https://ccvic.org/4aGFA8A

What if we could stop pancreatic cancer from spreading and help treatments work where they once couldn’t?Professor Matth...
18/02/2026

What if we could stop pancreatic cancer from spreading and help treatments work where they once couldn’t?

Professor Matthias Ernst and his team have discovered a key protein, HCK, that helps pancreatic cancer grow and hide from the immune system. Even more promising, blocking HCK can make immunotherapy more effective.

With community support, the team has already achieved major breakthroughs:
🔬 Barcoding cancer cells to track the most aggressive ones
🚫 Reshaping the tumour environment by blocking HCK
🎯 Preparing new HCK targeted treatment combinations

This research is opening new possibilities for one of the toughest cancers.

Tomorrow is Cancer Research Giving Day!

Your last chance to have your donation DOUBLED by our generous matching donors until we reach our target.

Support research like Dr Ernst's, donate now: https://ccvic.org/4qHzNWi 💛

At just 11 years old, Seamus was diagnosed with a rare bone and muscle tumour, Ewing sarcoma.After 12 months of hospital...
17/02/2026

At just 11 years old, Seamus was diagnosed with a rare bone and muscle tumour, Ewing sarcoma.

After 12 months of hospital stays and missing almost an entire year of school, Seamus finally received the news he was in remission. “Mum gave me the biggest hug I’ve ever had,” he says.

Now 26, Seamus is the youngest member of our Community Advisory Network, helping shape the future of cancer care. He is also lending his voice to Cancer Research Giving Day.

“Supporting research today means saving even more lives tomorrow.”

Cancer Research Giving Day is coming up, but you can donate now.

Your donation will be DOUBLED until midnight Thursday, 19 February or until we reach our target.

Donate now: https://ccvic.org/3OikOEO 💛

What if surviving cancer didn’t have to mean losing your fertility or facing lifelong hormonal changes?For many Victoria...
16/02/2026

What if surviving cancer didn’t have to mean losing your fertility or facing lifelong hormonal changes?

For many Victorians, life‑saving cancer treatments can unintentionally harm the ovaries — affecting fertility, hormone health, and long‑term wellbeing.

Professor Karla Hutt and her team are working to change that.

Their research is uncovering how treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and even new immune checkpoint inhibitors can damage eggs and ovarian tissue — and they're looking for ways to protect reproductive health without weakening the treatments themselves.

By understanding exactly how this damage occurs, Karla’s lab is paving the way for future therapies that could safeguard fertility, prevent premature menopause, and help survivors go on to live full, healthy lives long after treatment ends.

Cancer Research Giving Day is coming up, but you can donate now.

Your donation will be DOUBLED until midnight Thursday, 19 February or until we reach our target.

Donate now: https://ccvic.org/4bXRqgS 💛

11/02/2026

Meet Helen Dixon, one of our Research Fellows at the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer. ​

Helen has spent decades studying how food marketing and labelling influence what we eat, and why transparency matters for our health.​
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Many of us see one “healthy” claim and assume the whole product is good for us. Helen calls it the health halo, and she’s working to lift it.​
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World Cancer Day is a global reminder that while every cancer experience is different, we are united by a shared goal to...
03/02/2026

World Cancer Day is a global reminder that while every cancer experience is different, we are united by a shared goal to improve outcomes and support people through every stage of cancer.

For Claire, that journey began when her dad Bernard was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, she was balancing work, life and caring responsibilities – cooking meals, cleaning, and accompanying him to appointments. As his condition progressed, he moved in with her part-time to stay close to treatment.

During one hospital visit, a nurse encouraged Claire to contact our 13 11 20 cancer information and support line. That call connected her with our Cancer Connect program, which matched her with Chris, a trained volunteer who had experience supporting his own father through cancer.

Talking to someone who truly understood made a profound difference.

“To have someone who knew what was coming for me and could make it just that little bit easier… had a huge impact on my mental health,” Claire said.

If you or someone you love is facing cancer, you’re not alone. Call 13 11 20 to talk to a cancer health professional and get the support you need.

03/02/2026

We’re excited to celebrate the first recipients of Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria, a new collaboration supported by the Victorian Government and Cancer Council Victoria.

These Fellowships back exceptional early- and mid-career researchers who are driving breakthroughs that will improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care for people across Victoria.

Among them is Doctor Bonnie Werner from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne.

Supported through a three-year $450,000 Early Career Research Fellowship, Dr Werner is working to transform outcomes for people diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the deadliest gynaecological cancer in Victoria.

While immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer care, it has shown limited success for ovarian cancer. Dr Werner is flipping the narrative, studying long-term survivors to understand how their immune systems, particularly antibody producing B cells, may hold the key to more effective future treatments.

“Meeting people living with ovarian cancer motivates me to keep pushing forward. My hope is that this research will one day make a real difference in people’s lives,” Dr Werner said.

Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria provides crucial funding to early- and mid-career researchers to establish themselves as future cancer research leaders.

28/01/2026

Caring for someone with cancer? While you're there for them, we're also here for you — because carers take on a lot too.

Give our cancer nurses a call on 13 11 20 and we can help talk through your challenges, link you up with extra support, and make sure you're also getting the care you need to keep going.

You're not alone in this, we're here to help! Give us a call Monday-Friday on 13 11 20.

For more information on caring for someone with cancer, head to: https://ccvic.org/4ajkH4c

27/01/2026

👋 Meet Roger Milne, Head of Cancer Epidemiology at Cancer Council Victoria.

His job? Uncovering what causes cancer and how we can lower our risk 🔍💛

From predicting who’s more likely to develop cancer to finding what we can do differently, Roger and his team are uncovering answers that move us closer to a cancer-free future.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Hirst, legendary drummer and founding member of Midnight Oil. Rob helped sh...
21/01/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Hirst, legendary drummer and founding member of Midnight Oil.

Rob helped shape one of Australia’s most iconic rock bands, inspiring generations through both his music and strong social and political conscience, which encouraged many to engage more deeply with community issues.

Last year, Rob publicly shared his own cancer journey – his openness and generosity helping to bring much-needed attention to pancreatic cancer, a disease that is often diagnosed late and has one of the lowest survival rates.

On behalf of Cancer Council Victoria, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Rob’s family, friends and fans during this difficult time.

For anyone facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis – whether personally or while supporting a loved one – our confidential support line is here for you on 13 11 20.

🌈 Yesterday our staff and members of the Rainbow Committee had an awesome day out at Midsumma Carnival, staying SunSmart...
19/01/2026

🌈 Yesterday our staff and members of the Rainbow Committee had an awesome day out at Midsumma Carnival, staying SunSmart and soaking up all the good vibes.

We also loved chatting with people about why inclusive, welcoming cancer care matters so much for LGBTQIA+ communities — everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and supported on their cancer journey or when taking steps to prevent cancer.

For more information on cancer for the LGBTQIA+ community, visit our website: https://ccvic.org/4a20mQM

24/12/2025

We acknowledge with sadness the passing of Dr Katie Allen, former federal MP for Higgins and a dedicated advocate for health and community wellbeing.

Dr Allen’s life was one of service — as a doctor, medical researcher, parent and public servant — and her compassion touched countless lives across Victoria and beyond.

On behalf of Cancer Council Victoria, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. We remember her courage in the face of illness and her lifelong commitment to others. Our thoughts are with everyone who loved her at this difficult time.

For anyone across the community facing challenges connected with a cancer diagnosis – including supporting a loved one through their own cancer journey – our cancer support line is available on 13 11 20 for confidential information and care.

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Melbourne, VIC
3002

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