Practice what you preach at the beach!
SunSmart is encouraging parents to role model sun safe behaviour this summer after a new Australian study, published online in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, has shown that sun protection behaviour of children is heavily influenced by what their parents do to protect themselves from too much of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Tennis stars serve SunSmart message ahead of Australian Open
Tennis stars, John Newcombe, Felix Mantilla and Alicia Molik are urging players and spectators to be SunSmart while enjoying the on court action at this year's Australian Open.

Cancer survival in Victoria climbs to record high
Cancer in Victoria: Statistics and Trends 2010, an annual report produced by the Victorian Cancer Registry, shows that while the number of cancer diagnoses is projected to increase in the next three years, five-year cancer survival has increased from 47% to a record high of 64% in the period from 1985 to 2009.

Long wait but no bundle of joy
New alcohol labels targeting pregnant women address a minority of drinkers.

Labelling forum must put health on front of pack
The Food Regulation Forum must use the next six months to lead the development of an effective, easy to understand front-of-pack labelling system that puts the health of Australians above corporate profits, according to the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC).

It’s a Knockout! ACMA report delivers blow to self-regulation
A report released today by the media watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), further highlights the inadequacy of self-regulation of junk food advertising, according to Jane Martin, senior policy adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition.

Health groups bamboozled by government inaction on alcohol warning labels
A coalition of health agencies described today's response by the Federal Government to the national Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy as a lost opportunity to address the significant health and social cost of alcohol in Australia.

Corporate wealth wins over consumer health: labelling review
The Federal Government has bowed to food industry pressure by rejecting traffic light labels in its response to the Labelling Logic review today, according to Jane Martin, senior policy adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition.

Vic teens in denial of skin cancer risks
Victorian teens are in denial about their risk of skin cancer and are using less than adequate sun protection despite the high incidence of melanoma in young people.

OPC urges Senate to support junk ad bill
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has urged all Federal MPs to support a Bill to be introduced into the Senate tomorrow to protect children from junk food advertising.

Public supports tougher regulation of unhealthy food advertising
93% of South Australians agree the time has come to put a stop to unhealthy food producers from targeting kids through glitzy television ads and marketing ploys.

Slip, Slop, Slap... and Snap - the search is on for Victoria's most sun savvy shutterbug!
Today SunSmart launches ‘A Summer to Remember' campaign, asking young Victorians to share their favourite summer memories to win tickets to summer's biggest festivals, unbelievable experiences & lots more!

Sunbed shocker: new study shows solarium operators are not complying with Victorian legislation
Research by Cancer Council Victoria published today reveals 80% of Melbourne solarium operators surveyed allowed access to teenagers who concealed their age or claimed to be 18, despite the ban on under 18s using solariums.

The bachelor – a potentially deadly way of life
Cut your cancer risk blog post: Can a walk down the aisle and saying ‘I do' really reduce our cancer risk? Norwegian researchers think so after finding that bachelors are twice as likely to die of cancer compared to married men.

Aspirin study - cancer cases halved
Cancer Council Victoria has welcomed the results of a study published today in The Lancet, which shows a regular dose of aspirin can half the number of cancer cases in people with a hereditary risk of the disease.

Prestigious grants highlight quality of Cancer Council Victoria research
Research into breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and alcohol will be boosted by over $3 million in grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) made to Cancer Council Victoria staff and colleagues.

Breast cancer fight is not over
While the number of breast cancer-related deaths has steadily fallen over the past decade, latest Cancer Council figures show it is still one of the most common cancers with one in 11 Victorian women facing a diagnosis by the age of 75.

Girls Night In raffle results
Cancer Council Victoria today announced the winners of a Girls Night In raffle, drawn at an event on 7 October 2011. All prizes for the raffle were donated to the event, and all funds raised at the event will be directed into cancer research, prevention programs and support services.

Planning to swap it
Cut your cancer risk blog post: I have been somewhat inspired by the announcement of the National 12 week ‘swapping' challenge.

Slip, Slap, Slop, Seek, Slide and Ride!
SunSmart and i ski for tommy (isft.) are joining forces this year to remind cyclists to protect themselves when riding in Australia's premier mass participation bike ride, Around the Bay, on Sunday 16th October.

New SunSmart tool provides defence against skin cancer
SunSmart today launched a new online planning tool to help schools, childcare centres, community groups and Local Government to ensure adequate, quality shade is provided in their parks, playgrounds and public open spaces.

The balancing act of cancer prevention
News last week that women diagnosed with breast cancer are failing to give up smoking or drinking inspired the latest blog post about balancing healthy lifestyle messages with ones to support cancer patients.

Lifestyle blamed for 3000 Victorian deaths each year
Cancer Council Victoria is urging Victorians to give themselves a mid-year health check in light of worrying research that shows that only 10% of Victorians named screening when asked what they could do to reduce their cancer risk.

Researchers' giant study – is it a big problem for tall women?
According to a study released this week, tall women face an increased risk of a wide range of cancers compared to their shorter counterparts.

But dark chocolate is good for you – isn't it?
Are there certain health myths or facts you cling to in order to justify your lifestyle? Get the facts in the latest Cut Your Cancer Risk blog.

Cancer Council encourages teens to celebrate their 'original skin'
Cancer Council Australia has launched its annual SunSmart competition for teens, calling on all Aussie kids aged 12 to 17 years to get creative showing off their original skin.

Cancer indicators – is there a link between prostate cancer and the length of your fingers?
Earlier this year two reports described an increase in prostate cancer incidence in men whose ring fingers were longer than their index fingers. However, the good news is that analysis of 6,258 men that are part of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) found no association between finger length and prostate cancer risk.

Increasing your child's future risk of heart attack? There's never been a better reason to quit
It's never been more important for pregnant women who smoke to kick the habit - after a new Australian study has shown women who smoke in pregnancy are putting their child at risk of heart attack or stroke later in life.

Bad habits linked to bowel cancer in blokes
Cancer Council Victoria is encouraging Victorian blokes to cut back on booze, get active and watch their waistline this Men's Health Week in order to prevent bowel cancer - a cancer that kills 761 Victorian men each year.

Snow fans exposed to double dose of the sun's UV rays
With the official ski season opening this weekend, SunSmart is encouraging Victorian skiers and snowboarders to steer clear of a ‘crash and burn' experience on the slopes this winter.

Less than half take home bowel cancer test despite high awareness
New Cancer Council research released today shows although more than 80% of people aged 50+ are aware of a simple, at-home screening test for bowel cancer, less than half of those aware of FOBT have actually done the test.

Floor price to hit hazardous drinkers not moderate drinkers
The Alcohol Policy Coalition congratulates Health Minister Nicola Roxon on her move to develop a national minimum price on alcohol, a move the APC says will reduce consumption amongst hazardous drinkers without penalising moderate drinkers.

Increased risk of vitamin D deficiency this winter
As Victorians prepare for the colder months, SunSmart is reminding health professionals that certain population groups face an increased risk of low or deficient vitamin D levels.