Cancer Council Australia is a national,

nonprofit organisation A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

which aims to promote

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

-control policies and to reduce the illness caused by cancer in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. It advises various groups, including the government, on cancer-related issues, acts as an

advocacy Advocacy is an Action (philosophy), activity by an individual or advocacy group, group that aims to influence decision making, decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. Advocacy includes activities and publications to infl ...

group for cancer patients and their friends, and is a major funding contributor towards health

research Research is creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge. It involves the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness to ...

prevention Prevention may refer to: Health and medicine * Preventive healthcare, measures to prevent diseases or injuries rather than curing them or treating their symptoms General safety * Crime prevention, the attempt to reduce deter crime and crimin ...

and

education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

Background

Cancer Council Australia formed in 1961 as an

incorporated association Incorporation is the formation of a new corporation. The corporation may be a business, a nonprofit organization, sports club, or a local government of a new city or town. In the United States Specific incorporation requirements in the United ...

trading as Australian Cancer Society, when the six state cancer councils, of which had separate identities, agreed to federate with the goal 'to promote cancer control at the national level.' The cancer councils of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory were subsequently formed and joined the Society. In 1997, all eight members agreed to expand the Society and rebrand as The Cancer Council Australia and appointed Alan Coates its inaugural CEO. By 2008, the organisation migrated from an incorporated association to become a registered

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of legal people, whether Natural person, natural, Juridical person, juridical or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members ...

, dropping 'The' from its name and rebranding as Cancer Council Australia, which it has since retained. 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 Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to reduce the impact of cancer in Victoria (Australia), Victoria. It is an independent body that advises various groups, including government, on cancer-related issues. Cance ...

* Cancer Council Western Australia

Dietary advice

Cancer Council Australia recommends a diet rich in plant-based foods to prevent cancer such as at least two servings of

fruit In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants (angiosperms) that is formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particular have long propaga ...

and five servings of vegetables, including legumes and at least four servings of

whole grain A whole grain is a grain of any cereal and pseudocereal that contains the endosperm, germ, and bran, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm. As part of a general healthy diet, consumption of whole grains is associated ...

s per day. They also encourage people to consume at least two and a half servings of

dairy product Dairy products or milk products are food products made from (or containing) milk. The most common dairy animals are cow, water buffalo, goat, nanny goat, and Sheep, ewe. Dairy products include common grocery store food around the world such as y ...

s per day and at least two servings of

oily fish Oily fish are fish species with fish oil, oil (fats) in soft tissues and in the coelomic cavity around the Gut (zoology), gut. Their fillet (cut), fillets may contain up to 30% oil, although this figure varies both within and between species. ...

per week. Cancer Council Australia advice people to limit their

processed meat Processed meat is considered to be any meat that has been modified in order to either improve its taste or to extend its shelf life. Methods of meat processing include salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, and the addition of chemical prese ...

and

red meat In gastronomy, red meat is commonly red when raw (and a dark color after it is cooked), in contrast to white meat, which is pale in color before (and after) cooking. In culinary terms, only flesh from mammals or fowl (not fish) is classified ...

intake as they increase risk of

bowel cancer Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel ...

. Cancer Council Australia has recognized the importance of vitamin D sufficiency but has hesitated to endorse specific guidelines on exposure to ultraviolet B from solar exposure.

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 ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, listi ...

record for the "World's Largest Simultaneous

Tea Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of '' Camellia sinensis'', an evergreen shrub native to East Asia which probably originated in the borderlands of south-western China and nor ...

Party" with around 1 million Australians participating and supporting Cancer Council on the day.

Daffodil Day

Daffodil Day is the Australian Cancer Council's most iconic fund-raising event. It takes place in August each year.

Junk Free June

Junk Free June was a fundraiser held in 2016, prioritising healthy habits and supporting Cancer Council Queensland's work in cancer research. Junk Free June encouraged participants to give up

junk food "Junk food" is a term used to describe food that is high in calorie#Nutrition, calories from macronutrients such as sugar and fat, and often also high in sodium, making it hyperpalatable, and low in dietary fiber, Protein (nutrient), protein, or m ...

such as packaged snacks high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and trans fats. 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.

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 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.

Notes

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Cancer organisations based in Australia Health charities in Australia 1961 establishments in Australia Organizations established in 1961 Medical and health organisations based in New South Wales Sunscreen brands