The Cancer Council Victoria's core business is the use of knowledge for cancer control. We conduct and support research, as well as delivering statewide support and prevention programs and advocacy to reduce the physical and emotional burden of cancer. Our leaders are of international standing and we're significantly and positively influencing the cancer agenda in Victoria and beyond.
As a charity we rely on the generous support of donors and volunteers.
Our work benefits all Victorians, whatever their culture, language, location or economic situation, by contributing to overall health and well-being through reducing the impact of cancer. This means supporting people with and at high risk of cancer. We also educate children and adults so they know how to reduce their risk of cancer. Wherever possible, we aim to prevent the occurrence of cancer, its spread and avoidable distress associated with it.
Our information, knowledge and programs are developed for and accessible to everyone who might benefit from them. Our research contributes to cancer knowledge, so that the burden of cancer will not be as great for future generations.
We maintain valued partnerships with government, business and professional groups.
We work closely with cancer clinicians and researchers, nurture a strong public profile and preserve our independence from government and corporations to maximise our capacity to influence the public agenda on cancer.
Our dedicated volunteers significantly contribute to our work at all levels of the organisation.
Our range of influential and highly regarded programs includes:
Our research builds new knowledge, which is critically reviewed, communicated through professional networks, and provided directly so people may take action against cancer.
We build on our record of leadership, collaboration and coordination, and on our strengths in behavioural science and education to emphasise prevention in the broadest sense - prevention of the occurrence of cancer, prevention of its spread, and prevention of avoidable distress associated with it.
We want to be:
Our singleness of purpose - improved cancer control - drives and will always be balanced by, our deep connection with the experience of cancer patients and their families.
Our values are excellence, integrity and compassion. These are manifested in:
By striving to live our values we nurture and build our reputation as a respected leader in cancer control.
We are governed by a Council, with delegated authority to an Executive Committee (Board) and several other sub-committees. Our director is a public health research scientist. We employ about 300 people.
We're centrally located on the edge of the CBD and close to many of Melbourne's major public teaching hospitals, universities and internationally renowned medical research institutes.
We house 2 research centres (epidemiology and behavioural science), a tobacco control centre, the state's population-based cancer registry and units undertaking public education programs, information and support (including a helpline), a quit smoking campaign, publications, fundraising (including a retail operation), informatics and logistics, finance and human resources.
We auspice and fund the administrative, educational and clinical research activities of the Victorian Cooperative Oncology Group, a network of eighteen committees and 380 cancer specialists. Our Medical and Scientific Committee dispenses competitive research grants to medical research institutions throughout Victoria and coordinates the peer review process on behalf of cancer organisations in other states. We house the Victorian Cancer Agency and the Victorian Officer of Cancer Australia. We auspice and administer the Victorian Breast Cancer Research Consortium and the Victorian Cancer Biobank.
We are a member of The Cancer Council Australia, which undertakes national advocacy, and belong to the International Union Against Cancer.
The Cancer Council Victoria is the trading name of the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, a public institution set up by legislation in the Parliament of Victoria in 1936. We operate as a charity, rely heavily on volunteer support and raise $4-5 per head of population annually. We receive almost the same amount in competitive research grants and government contracts.
To realise our vision it is critical we develop and focus on strategies that:
‘Cancer control' is all actions that reduce the burden of cancer in the community. It includes every aspect of care, from prevention and early detection to curative treatment and palliative care, all underpinned by the best scientific evidence available' - Priorities for Action in Cancer Control 2001-2003, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, 2001.
