About Cancer Council

Cancer Council Australia was originally known as the Australian Cancer Society when, in 1961, Cancer Council in the six states formed a federal body to promote cancer control at a national level. Cancer organisations in the ACT and Northern Territory subsequently signed on as members of the society.

The primary role of the federal body is to develop independent national cancer control policy while the Cancer Council in each state and territory undertakes most of the organisation’s research, patient support and education programs.