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One in three Australians will develop cancer in their lifetime, so it's not uncommon for members of the same family to develop unrelated cancers.

For a small number of families, an inherited faulty gene means their risk is much higher. If you're concerned about your family's cancer history, call 13 11 20 or talk to your doctor who can refer you to a family cancer centre.

Familial bowel cancer

Learn about genetics and bowel cancer.

Familial breast cancer

Learn about genetics and breast cancer.

Familial ovarian cancer

Learn about genetics and ovarian cancer.

Familial melanoma

Learn about genetics and melanoma.

Family history of cancer

Learn about what constitutes a risky family history.

Family cancer centres

Find details of family cancer centres.

Genetic testing

Learn more about genetic testing and who should consider it.

Genetic counselling

Learn about genetic counselling at family cancer centres.

Useful links

Links to external websites about genetics and cancer.

Cancer information

Questions about cancer?

Call or email our experienced cancer nurses for information and support.

Contact a cancer nurse

Cancer information
- Cancer information
- What is cancer?
  - What is cancer?
    Where cancer starts, how it spreads, common risk factors and symptoms.
- Types of cancer
  - Types of cancer
    Explore our A-Z list of cancer types, with information on diagnosis and treatment.
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  - Rare and less common cancers
    A cancer is rare or less common when it only affects a small number of people.
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- Aboriginal communities
  - Aboriginal communities
    Cancer information and support services for Victorian Aboriginal communities.
- Cancer and COVID-19
  - Cancer and COVID-19
    Learn about cancer and COVID-19, and updates about our support services.
Managing daily life
- Managing daily life
- Common side effects
- Emotions
  - Emotions
    It is normal to experience a range of emotions when you have cancer.
- Grief
  - Grief
    Grief is the process of responding to loss and it can affect all parts of your life.
- Nutrition
  - Nutrition
    Eating well is beneficial during and after cancer treatment.
- Exercise
  - Exercise
    Aerobic, strength, flexibility and pelvic floor exercises for people with cancer.
- Sexuality and intimacy
  - Sexuality and intimacy
    Cancer may affect the role sexuality and intimacy play in your life.
- Learning to relax
  - Learning to relax
    Coping with cancer is challenging and it is important to look after yourself.
- Life after treatment
  - Life after treatment
    You may continue to face challenges even after cancer treatment has ended.
- Holidays and travel
  - Special occasions and celebrations
  - Travel insurance and cancer
Get support
- Get support
- Cancer and COVID-19
- Contact our cancer nurses
  - Contact our cancer nurses
    Speak to our trusted and compassionate cancer nurses on 13 11 20 or via email.
- Facing end of life
  - Facing end of life
    Information on dealing with, planning for and looking after somone at the end of life.
- Caring for someone with cancer
  - Caring for someone with cancer
    Caring can be rewarding but also challenging, both physically and emotionally.
- Wig service
- Connect and learn
- Financial and legal
- Work
  - Cancer, work and you
  - Supporting colleagues and staff
- Holiday break program
  - Holiday break program
    Free short breaks for those affected by cancer and their families.
- Cancer services guide
  - Cancer services guide
    A guide to support services available to Victorians affected by cancer.
- Aboriginal communities
  - Aboriginal communities
    Cancer information and support services for Victorian Aboriginal communities.
- LGBTIQ+ communities
  - LGBTIQ+ communities
    Cancer information and support services for LGBTIQ+ communities.
Prevention
- Prevention
- Get checked
- Limit alcohol
- Be a healthy weight
  - Be a healthy weight
    Convincing evidence links obesity to various cancers.
- Eat a healthy diet
  - Eat a healthy diet
    We recommend a healthy body weight, regular exercise and a healthy diet.
- Be SunSmart
  - Be SunSmart
    It's preventable but nearly 2,000 Australians die of skin cancer each year.
- Quit smoking
  - Quit smoking
    Each year 15,000 Australians are diagnosed with smoking-related cancer.
- Be physically active
  - Be physically active
    Evidence links physical activity to reduced breast and colon cancer risk.
- Workplaces
  - Workplaces
    Tips to cut your cancer risk in the workplace.
- Aboriginal communities
  - Aboriginal communities
    We're working to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
- LGBTIQ+ communities
  - LGBTIQ+ communities
    Cancer information and support services for LGBTIQ+ communities.
Research
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  - Research news
    Get the latest cancer research news.
- Research grants
- Clinical Trials
  - Clinical Trials
    Find out how we help patients access clinical trials.
- Search our research
  - Search our research
    Search the vast number of projects we've been involved in over the years.
- Meet our researchers
  - Meet our researchers
    Team of researchers who have expanded our understanding of cancer.
- Our Forgotten Cancers Program
  - Our Forgotten Cancers Program
    Improving survival for less common and low survival cancers.
- Research ethics and guidelines
  - Research ethics and guidelines
    Learn about our research ethics and research practice guidelines.
- Research integrity
  - Research integrity
    Principles for the responsible and ethical conduct of research.
- McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer
  - McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer
    Find out how we use the law to prevent cancer and to protect people affected by it.
- Victorian Cancer Registry
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer
- Cancer Epidemiology Division
Get involved
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    A gift of hope for generations to come.
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  - Your stories
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- Become a corporate supporter
  - Become a corporate supporter
    There are many ways corporates can support our work.
- Fund cancer research
  - Fund cancer research
    Fund a specific type of cancer research and earn a research award.
- Honour your loved one
  - Honour your loved one
    Create a lasting space to remember your loved one or give in memory.
- Give in celebration
  - Give in celebration
    Make a lasting contribution when you celebrate your next special occasion.
- Donate a holiday
  - Donate a holiday
    Give a cancer patient some time away in your holiday home.
- Shop online
  - Shop online
    Cancer Council's online store offers ultimate sun protection solutions.
Health professionals
- Health professionals
- Cancer and COVID-19
- News
  - News
    Read our latest news for health professionals.
- Cancer support referral
  - Cancer support referral
    Request a call back from a cancer nurse for one of your patients or carers.
- Order free publications
  - Order free publications
    Order a limited number of our free booklets and brochures.
- Education and training
- Cervical screening providers
- Optimal Care Pathways
  - Optimal Care Pathways
    The Optimal Care Pathways (formerly Patient Management Frameworks) were developed to provide a consistent statewide approach to care management in each tumour stream.
- ACCESS Project
  - ACCESS Project
    A project to improve access to supportive care for people affected by cancer.
- Clinical Network
- Community health
- Clinical practice guides
  - Clinical practice guides
    Medical guides for specific cancers.
- Financial and legal referrals
  - Financial Counselling Program
  - Pro Bono Services
- Resources for dietitians
  - Resources for dietitians
    To support nutritional management of oncology patients.
- General practice
- Cancer counselling service
  - Cancer counselling service
    Free, short-term phone counselling service to help your patients.
About us
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    Addresses, phone numbers, parking and public transport information.
- What we do
  - What we do
    Our strategic plan, outlining our mission, values, goals and priorities.
- Latest news and stories
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    News from Cancer Council Victoria and stories of those affected by cancer.
- Where the money goes
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    See what we spent our money on in 2019.
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- Our history
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- Dr Nigel Gray
  - Nigel Gray Award
- Culturally diverse communities
  - Culturally diverse communities
    We work to reduce the impact of cancer in diverse communities.
- Melbourne retail store
  - Melbourne retail store
    Our Melbourne-based retail shop is now permanently closed. To purchase our products, visit www.cancercouncilshop.org.au.
More
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Genetics and risk