Pap test rate lowest in a decade
Young women are increasingly shunning a life-saving test that can prevent cervical cancer, according to new statistics revealed by PapScreen Victoria today.

Hospital bed bonanza won't help when 1/3 of population is obese
A lack of focus on prevention in both major parties' health policies means hospitals will struggle to keep pace with the obesity epidemic, according to Jane Martin, Senior Policy Adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition.

National Alliance calls on parties to make alcohol harm an election issue
The National Alliance for Action on Alcohol (NAAA), a coalition of 32 health and community organisations from across Australia, has today called on the major parties to make an election commitment to reduce the $15 billion toll of alcohol-related harm through pricing and labelling reforms, and regulation of marketing.

Cancer Council refutes obscene argument
Cancer Council Victoria supports the call today for all political parties to endorse the plan to phase in plain packaging of tobacco products, as a new, big-budget media campaign funded by the tobacco industry seeks to roll back this important health measure.

More dirty tricks from tobacco industry terrified about plain packaging
Quit has slammed an anti plain packaging campaign fronted by the Alliance of Australian Retailers, saying it's nothing but a tobacco-funded scare campaign.

Victorians in the dark about toxic lifestyles
Less than half of Victorians know a lack of exercise is an important risk factor for cancer and only 55% understand that being overweight significantly increases their risk of the disease, according to a Cancer Council survey released today.

Interview with Arthur Galan, on Designers For Daffodil Day
Happiness. That's the word Australian designer Arthur Galan uses to describe the colour yellow. And when you see the flower inspired, silk-draped cocktail dress he created for Designers For Daffodil Day, you can't help but feel happy.

Graphic gore off the menu? Quit creates positive campaign
Quit's first positive anti-smoking campaign in almost two decades starts tonight, urging smokers to Never give up giving up.

Victorian teen smoking rates halve in less than a decade
Smoking rates among students are at their lowest level in more than 20 years according to the latest secondary school smoking survey, giving Victorians something to celebrate this World No Tobacco Day.

World's largest mobile phone study fails to find cancer link
The Interphone Study, which has received a lot of media coverage, did not find any evidence that normal mobile phone use can cause brain cancer.

Big fat hole in health reform
Australia's hospitals will continue to be a hungry beast consuming resources unless restrictions on junk food advertising and taxes on unhealthy food, to combat the drivers of obesity, are addressed - according to Jane Martin, Senior Policy Adviser, Obesity Policy Coalition.

Cancer Council commemorates 20 years on the frontline of cancer information and support
Our support and information service including the cancer helpline is turning 20. It's funded completely by donations, and over the last 20 years has provided an extensive range of support and reliable information to over 750,000 people affected by cancer.

National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week (10 - 16 May) provides the perfect opportunity to say 'Thank You' to the volunteers who help Cancer Council Victoria.

SunSmart urges Victorians to get some sun this winter
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer but also a good natural source of vitamin D, which is important for general health.

Extra Quitline funding will go a long way in light of tax rise
Quit has warmly welcomed the Victorian government's budget announcement of $4.2 million over five years to enhance Quitline services.

Cancer care funding a boost for regional and rural Victorians
Professor David Hill AO, Director, Cancer Council Victoria, has welcomed the state budget as a positive step in caring for Victorians with cancer.

Nurse Pap test providers boost cervical screening rates for Victorian women most at risk
Underscreened, rural and older women are amongst those benefiting from the cervical screening services offered by a growing band of nurse Pap test providers, according to PapScreen Victoria.

Study: Victorians aren't aware alcohol causes cancer
Research released today shows one in two Victorians don't realise that alcohol causes cancer, prompting the Alcohol Policy Coalition to call for health advisory labels on all alcohol products to better inform consumers.

Tobacco tax rise welcome addition to raft of measures
Smoking rates in Australia are likely to fall significantly, after the Federal Government announced an increase in tax on cigarettes today.

Health group applauds news of government action on plain packaging
Quit has warmly welcomed reports that the government will tomorrow announce moves to introduce plain packaged cigarettes in Australia.

American Cancer Society's Chief Medical Officer visits
A leading US cancer control expert, Dr Otis Brawley, is visiting Cancer Council Victoria where he will discuss policy development for prostate cancer screening.

Lung cancer remains biggest cancer killer among women, as new anti-smoking ad launched
The latest Victorian cancer statistics show lung cancer is killing more Victorian women than ever before and is the leading cause of cancer death among females - overtaking breast cancer for the second year running.

Dirty tricks by tobacco industry show even greater need for plain packaging
Quit Victoria has slammed Philip Morris for displaying hidden advertisements on some of its cigarette packets that liken smoking to classic Australian pastimes and habits.

New program gets prostate cancer patients connected
Men who find it tough to openly discuss their prostate cancer experience are being urged to make use of new phone support groups delivered in partnership with MensLine Australia. The program is funded by beyondblue: the national depression initiative and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

How much is smoking REALLY costing you?
This is the big question young people are being asked on Youth Tobacco Free Day, this Friday March 19.

Last chance to share your experience creatively with Cancer Council
Entries for Cancer Council Victoria Arts Awards 2010 will close on Wednesday 7 April and artists are being encouraged to start their creations before it’s too late.

Farmers targeted for skin cancer prevention as UV levels still high in Victoria
With UV levels remaining high enough across Victoria to cause sunburn in as little as 16 minutes, SunSmart is running the skin cancer prevention and early detection campaign, Take care of your farm's most important asset - you.

New National alliance formed to reduce harm from alcohol
Comprising an initial 26 major organisations with a focus on public health and alcohol, the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol (NAAA) will focus on reducing alcohol problems in the community.

Nanoparticles & sunscreen
Nanotechnology has been used in sunscreens for many years. To date, our assessment, drawing on the best available evidence, is that nanoparticulates used in sunscreens do not pose a risk.

Indigenous artists asked to tell their cancer story through art
The Indigenous Visual Art category, introduced 5 years ago, is always marked by the quality of its entries ranging from painting and photographs to video works, craft and sculpture.

Cancer Council Victoria Director announces retirement
Professor David Hill, AO - an internationally respected behavioural scientist who was the founding Director of our Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer (CBRC) - has announced he will be retiring in early 2011.

Secondhand smoke puts 13-year-olds at higher risk of heart disease
Researchers in Finland found that 13-year-olds who'd had frequent exposure to tobacco smoke exhibited thicker artery walls, higher levels of cholesterol, and other blood vessel problems.

Arts Awards Melbourne Exhibition 2010
A collection of outstanding entries from Cancer Council Victoria’s, internationally acclaimed, Arts Awards will be on display in Melbourne from 11 July.

Tea up your friends in May
Help tip the balance in the fight against cancer by taking part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this May.

Mildura Relay For Life Life - Team information & registration night
Mildura residents are invited to Cancer Council Victoria’s Relay For Life Team Information Night to hear more about the Relay event held in March.

A Relay big reason to celebrate
Warrnambool Relay For Life, now in its 8th year, recently announced their 2010 fundraising total of $145,000. This means they've raised over $1 million for Cancer Council Victoria's research, support and prevention programs.

Share your experience creatively with Arts Awards
We're inviting all Australians who've been touched by cancer to share their experiences creatively by entering the internationally recognised Cancer Council Victoria Arts Awards.

Sports clubs hit skin cancer and heat illness for 6!
Victorian sports participants will be better protected from UV exposure and heat under new guidelines developed by SunSmart and Smartplay.

World Cancer Day theme promotes prevention and participation
Cancer can be prevented too' is the campaign theme of this year's World Cancer Day on Thursday, 4 February. World Cancer Day is celebrated every year, led by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and its member organisations with the support of the World Health Organization and key partners.

Cancer Council Victoria farewells a national treasure
Doreen Akkerman AM, our Director of Cancer Information and Support Services (CISS), has retired after 20 years of dedicated service.

Faulty bowel cancer screening test kits - Cancer Council puts it in perspective
A positive FOBT result rarely means you have cancer. It means there are signs that should be investigated, usually through colonoscopy.

Don't make sunburn part of your Australia Day celebrations
With ultraviolet (UV) radiation likely to reach extreme levels in some parts of the state, it's important to use sun protection.

Fast food advertising proves self-regulation is a charade
A major fast food outlet is making a mockery of self-regulation, flouting a recent ruling by the Advertising Standards Board (ASB) and continuing to broadcast ads for an unsuitable children's meal, according to a coalition of peak health bodies.