Cancer
Cancer control
Cancer control aims to reduce the incidence, mortality and impact of cancer on the population.
Commitment to cancer control involves coordinated measures that focus on:
Department of Health and Ageing
The Department of Health and Ageing has overarching portfolio responsibility for managing cancer control policy and for the implementation of the majority of cancer related budget measures. The department funds:- research, prevention and detection through population screening programs
- support and treatment for those living with cancer, including palliative care programs
- support for health professionals who care for cancer patients.
Cancer Australia
Cancer Australia is a statutory agency within the health portfolio, established under the Cancer Australia Act 2006, to reduce the impact of cancer for all Australians. It provides strategic leadership in cancer care by bringing together key cancer organisations and aims to lessen the divide in outcomes for groups of people who have poorer than average survival rates or cancer experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people living in rural and regional areas, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds.The main functions of Cancer Australia include:
- providing national leadership in cancer control
- guiding scientific improvements to cancer prevention and care
- coordinating and liaising with a wide range of groups and providers with an interest in cancer
- making recommendations to the Australian Government about cancer policy and priorities
- overseeing a dedicated budget for cancer research.
The amalgamation aims to:
- bring together the expertise and efforts of both organisations
- improve the focus on cancer research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment
- support the coordination of cancer control at the national level through a single cancer control agency. Top of page
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre
The National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) was established in 1995 to improve breast cancer outcomes through translation of research evidence into policy and practice. In 2001, the NBCC's remit was expanded to include ovarian cancer. In February 2008, the NBCC changed its name to the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) to reflect this change. From 1 January 2009, the NBOCC became a wholly-owned Commonwealth company under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act).NBOCC works in partnership with health professionals, cancer organisations, governments, researchers and those diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer to improve outcomes in breast and ovarian cancer. This is achieved through the translation of worldwide research into meaningful evidence-based information to:
- guide the work of health professionals in Australia
- inform policy and improve health service delivery
- inform people with breast or ovarian cancer about all aspects of their diagnosis and treatment
- raise community awareness about the diseases
- identify improved approaches to the early detection and management of breast cancer, including breast cancer in men, younger women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
National Health and Medical Research Council
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is Australia's peak body for:- supporting health and medical research
- developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments
- providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research.
Australian National Preventive Health Agency
The Australian National Preventive Health Agency commenced operation on 1 January 2011. The agency will assist in driving the prevention agenda, including by:- providing evidence-based advice to health ministers
- supporting the development of evidence and data on the state of preventive health in Australia and the effectiveness of preventive health interventions
- putting in place national guidelines and standards to guide preventive health activities.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is a major national agency set up under the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Act to provide reliable, regular and relevant information and statistics on Australia's health and welfare.AIHW's aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians through better health and welfare information and statistics. The AIHW collects and reports information on a wide range of topics and issues ranging from health and welfare expenditure, hospitals, disease and injury and mental health to ageing, homelessness, disability and child protection.
The AIHW's National Centre for Monitoring Cancer is being established with the aim of expanding the available national cancer data and as such will help health professionals and service planners to better understand national trends and patterns in cancer such as risk factors, diagnoses and health outcomes.
Page last reviewed: 4 April 2011
