News

July 2010

A leading cancer organisation is undertaking survey research among women and men diagnosed with breast cancer and people that have provided support to those diagnosed with breast cancer.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer at any stage in the past or are currently undergoing treatment, or have provided support to a friend or family member diagnosed with the disease currently or in the past, then you will qualify for the study.

The organisation is seeking up to 500 members of the community in each group to participate. The survey results will be used to improve support services. 

To register your interest in participating you can either visit www.breastcancersurvey.com.au or call 1300 734 929.

June 2010

Applications are now open for a training fellowship at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France.

IARC is part of the World Health Organisation. Its mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer prevention and control.

The fellowship is open to Australians who wish to pursue a career in cancer research and complete their training in epidemiological and laboratory research into the causes and preventions of cancer.
Disciplines include epidemiology (genetic and molecular), biostatistics, bioinformatics, and mechanisms of carcinogenics (including molecular and cell biology, molecular genetics, epigenetics, and molecular pathology.) There is an emphasis on interdisciplinary projects.

The fellowship is for a period of one year, with the possible of extension for a second year. It must be taken up by 30 November 2011. The annual stipend is currently 31860 Euros and other benefits include travel costs and health insurance.

The program is supported by Cancer Council Australia through its Sally Birch Fellowship in Cancer Control. Please click here for further Information on the 2009 fellowship award.

Visit www.iarc.fr for more details and to apply. Applications close 30 November 2010.

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June 2010

Cutting edge research from the seminal meeting for oncologists worldwide, the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), will be presented at a one-day conference in Sydney on Saturday, 14 August 2010.

The Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA) is inviting medical practitioners and professionals working in oncology and related areas from Australia and the Asia Pacific to hear the ‘Best of ASCO’, the world’s premier oncology event, held in Chicago in June.

The program aims to:

• improve global cancer care.
• enable oncology professionals in Australia and Asia Pacific to learn and debate the highlights presented at the ASCO  Annual Meeting.
• feature international and Australian oncology experts as a faculty, presenting and reviewing the research and scientific outcomes of the ASCO  Annual Meeting in core sessions, dealing with the major tumour types and in consideration of the Australian and regional context.

Registration includes catering, the ASCO presentation slides and a networking dinner. The event is at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Please click here for further information or to register for the conference.

June 2010

Cancer Australia is calling for expressions-of-interest from consumers available to participate in reviewing applications for research grants.  This is an opportunity for you to share a voice on where cancer research funds should be directed. Previous experience is not required, as successful applicants will attend a consumer research training workshop in September before the Grant Review Committees meet.

Cancer Australia is an Australian Government agency that  administers several grants programs, providing support for cancer research, cancer clinical trials and cancer support networks. They work in partnership with other organisations and groups, including beyondblue, CanTeen, Cancer Council NSW, Cancer Council Tasmania and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Applications close 5pm on 11 June 2010. Visit www.canceraustralia.gov.au for details.

14 April 2010

Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Ian Olver, said he hoped speculation in today’s media about an imminent increase in the tax on tobacco products becomes reality in the 2010-11 federal budget.

“Smoking is still the largest preventable cause of cancer death and disease in Australia, and increasing the price of tobacco products is the best way to encourage smokers to quit,” Professor Olver said.

“If the Government is serious about disease prevention as a key part of healthcare reform, it must increase the price of tobacco products in the next budget. This would reduce tobacco disease burden and also help to fund prevention programs like tobacco control and bowel cancer screening.”

March 2010

A new booklet is available to support men and their families in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Advanced Prostate Cancer - a guide for men and their families (2009) explains the advanced stages of prostate cancer, its treatments and how men and their families can manage patient health and care.

Developed by the Australian Prostate Cancer Collaboration in association with Cancer Council’s Australian Cancer Network, the guide was produced as a sequel to the booklet Local Prostate Cancer - a guide for men and their families (2006).

Advanced Prostate Cancer draws on the National Health and Medical Research Council’s draft clinical practice guidelines, to provide a comprehensive source of information, written and reviewed by leading practitioners.

Click here to download the guide or call Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for a printed copy.

The Australian Lung Foundation and Cancer Council have produced a series of information brochures and posters in English and seven other languages.

Developed in collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and the Asbestos Diseases Society, the brochure provides information about the different types of lung cancer, treatments and support options. There is also guidance on questions to ask your doctor and contact details for Cancer Council Helpline.

The awareness poster outlines possible symptoms and can be used to raise public awareness and promote early detection of lung cancer.

The two resources, produced with funding from Cancer Australia, have been translated into Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, Dinka, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese.

Please click here to download the brochure or poster.