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Cancer support organisations

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Cancer Australia aims to enable people affected by cancer to access quality support and to better support each other.

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.

Cancer Councils

Community-funded Cancer Councils in each state and territory:

  • undertake and fund cancer research;
  • implement programs and campaigns to prevent and control cancer; and
  • provide information and support for people affected by cancer.

The national body, 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.

Australia’s Cancer Councils are the recognised leaders in providing support and other resources for people affected by cancer. Cancer Australia is working with Cancer Councils across Australia to build support networks.  We are also working with the many other organisations that aim to address issues specific to people affected by different types of cancer to improve support options.

For more information about support options in your state or territory, visit the website of the relevant Cancer Council listed below or call the Cancer Council on 13 11 20 (a local call from anywhere in Australia).

Other cancer consumer and community-funded cancer organisations

Bowel Cancer Australia

Bowel Cancer Australia is dedicated to bowel cancer prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and care, and provides practical and emotional support for the growing number of Australians affected by bowel cancer.

Breast Cancer Network Australia

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) 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.

Can Assist

Can Assist is committed to ensuring that all people, regardless of where they live in NSW, have access to cancer treatment and care. By providing accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural, regional and remote areas of New South Wales, we ensure that country people are given the same opportunities and treatment choices as those who live in city centres.

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.

CarerHelp

CarerHelp supports carers to prepare, plan and cope with caring for a person with terminal illness and at the end of life.

Head and Neck Cancer Australia

Head and Neck Cancer Australia provides education and support to people living with head and neck cancer, caregivers, family and health professionals.

Leukaemia 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 to providing support for their families.

Lung Foundation Australia

Lung Foundation Australia is the national consumer advocacy organisation, representing Australians affected by lung disease.

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 (NBCF) funds all forms of research into the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Australia

Ovarian Cancer Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation providing support and advocacy for people affected by ovarian cancer, and is the peak body for ovarian cancer awareness and prevention.

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.

Pancreatic Cancer Alliance

The Pancreatic Cancer Alliance is a collaborative voice raising awareness of pancreatic cancer in Australia. Cancer Australia is a Member of the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance, other members include:

Rare Cancers Australia

Rare Cancers Australia works to improve the lives and health outcomes of Australians living with rare and less common (RLC) cancers through its key areas of focus: Creating a Patient Community, Advocacy, Patient Support Programs, Fundraising, Treatment & Research along with Early Diagnosis.

Redkite

  • Redkite provides financial assistance, emotional support and educational assistance to children with cancer and their families. It also has scholarships available for specific educational goals.