‘17 ‘18

Annual Report

Working together towards a cancer free future.

Every minute, every hour, every day.

Cancer Council is the only Australian charity that works across all cancers and every area of cancer, from research through to prevention and support.

This annual report highlights Cancer Council’s work in delivering prevention programs and empowering Australians to reduce their cancer risk, conducting and funding research to reduce the impact of cancer, advocating to change laws and policies to reduce cancer risks and improve cancer care, and providing support to people affected by cancer. 

It is estimated that 138,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer in 2018. New estimates released by Cancer Council in the lead up to World Cancer Day in February showed that thanks to increasing survival rates and our growing and ageing population, the number of Australians living with or beyond cancer will increase significantly over the next two decades.  

By 2040 it is predicted that almost 1.9 million Australians will have a personal history of cancer. The increasing number of people impacted by cancer reinforces the importance of Cancer Council and our services now and in the future.  

At Cancer Council, we’re here every minute, every hour, every day for Australians affected by cancer.  This year we created new content to increase awareness and understanding about the services we provide to let all Australians know we’re here when they need us most. 

We also continued work aligned with our national vision of a cancer free future. With this overarching vision in mind, this year Cancer Council Australia finalised and began implementing a new strategy, focussed on two core goals: 

1. ImprovingcanceroutcomesforallAustralians  2. SupportingahighfunctioningCancerCouncilfederation 

Our work to achieve the first goal is the most visible and described in this report – Cancer Council’s actions to improve prevention and early detection, reduce cancer deaths, extend survival and support people affected by cancer.   

However, our efforts underpinning the second objective are equally important in striving towards a cancer free future. As the national body representing our members – the eight state and territory Cancer Councils – Cancer Council Australia enables and enhances our joint effort, so we can have a greater impact across the country, to benefit more Australians while our members retain a central focus on being responsive to the needs of people affected by cancer in local communities.  

Cancer Council Australia is already a respected global leader in cancer control. But with a renewed strategy and focus we will continue to work with our members, community and partners, to bring us ever closer to a cancer free future.  

We would like to thank the Australian community for their continued support that makes our work possible.  

As Chair of Cancer Council Australia, Iamproudtoworkwith our Board,CEO ProfessorSanchia Aranda, staff members and ourgenerous communityof supporterswhoarededicated to workingtowardsa cancerfree future.

“

“

A message from our Chair

The Hon. Nicola RoxonChair, Cancer Council Australia

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Prof. Sanchia ArandaCEO, Cancer Council Australia

IthasbeenabusyyearforCancerCouncilAustraliaandwehopeyouenjoyfindingoutmoreabouttheprogresswearemakingeveryminute,ofeveryday,toachieveourvisionofacancerfreefuture.

“ “A message from our CEO

It has been a busy year for Cancer Council Australia and we hope you enjoy finding out more about the progress we are making every minute, of every day, to achieve our vision of a cancer free future.

A significant focus this year for Cancer Council Australia has been reorientating our efforts towards our new strategy, which focuses on improving cancer outcomes for all Australians.

We already know that we can reduce the burden of cancer in Australia by promoting cancer prevention, encouraging Australians to take part in screening programs, investing in research and supporting Australians affected by cancer – and this report highlights the progress we are making across each of these areas.

Cancer Council remains the largest non-government funder of cancer research, and in 2017 as a federation Cancer Council invested almost $60 million, along with our research partners, into Australia’s brightest research minds. To help the Australian public understand how our research funding is allocated, we have recently launched a new website, impact.cancer.org.au which showcases some of our research stories and demonstrates the impact our research is having.

Our new website also brings together national data showing how our support services are making a difference to Australians affected by cancer right across the country. In 2017 Cancer Council support services were used over 250,000 times providing vital support to people affected by cancer when they need it most.

Our prevention programs also helped millions of Australians reduce their risk and stop cancer before it starts. We continue to reinforce the need for greater public awareness about bowel cancer screening where we know we can save almost 84,000 lives if we can get participation to increase from the current 40% to 60%.

However, it is also increasingly apparent that in order to achieve better outcomes for all Australians impacted by cancer – we need to urgently address some of the inequalities in cancer outcomes experienced by some sections of our community and this is a major focus of our new strategy.

Recent Cancer Council estimates outlining an expected 72% increase in the number of Australians living with cancer or in remission over the next 22 years, were startling. Even more concerning is the gap between the “haves and have-nots” when it comes to cancer survival. Australians who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, in the lowest socioeconomic groups or live outside capital cities are more likely to die of cancer and have higher rates of many cancers (particularly those with poorer survival rates).

Likewise, while Australia has made strides towards improving survival rates and outcomes for common cancers like breast and prostate cancer, there are many cancer types, like lung, liver and pancreatic cancer, that continue to challenge the cancer community and need more focused action.

In order to achieve a cancer free future we need to better understand why these inequalities occur – and how they can be addressed.

Cancer Council doesn’t receive any ongoing government funding, relying on community support for our work. So, we thank each and every one of you for your continued support.

Together, we’re getting closer to a cancer free future every minute, every hour, every day.

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Cancer Council is Australia’s leading cancer charity, and the only charity that works across every area of every cancer. We help people reduce their risk of cancer and get the right information, treatment and support from the point of diagnosis and beyond.

Our vision is a cancer free future. Every day we work tirelessly towards that – funding research, delivering prevention programs, advocating for change and providing vital support to people affected by cancer.

Cancer Council is active in every state and territory of Australia and Cancer Council Australia is the national organisation, working to support the work of our members, the state and territory Cancer Councils.

As well as highlighting the work of Cancer Council Australia as a national cancer charity, this report brings together highlights from across our members to demonstrate Cancer Council’s national impact.

Prevention We know that preventing cancer is one of the most effective ways of creating a cancer free future. We develop programs that encourage and empower Australians to lead healthier lifestyles to help reduce their cancer risk.

Support We offer a range of services to support anyone affected by cancer. Last year our services were used almost 250,000 times by Australians affected by cancer, providing vital support when they need it most and making every stage of their cancer journey easier.

Research We fund more cancer research than any other non-government organisation in Australia. In 2017, thanks to the support of our community, along with our research partners, we invested almost $60 million in world-class research across Australia.

Advocacy We work with the community to change laws and policies to reduce cancer risks and improve cancer care. We also work to define best practice diagnosis and treatment and seek to ensure all people are able to receive this level of cancer care.

Every minute, Every hour, Every day, we're getting closer to a cancer free future.

Cancer never rests, and for that reason, neither do we.

About us

How Cancer Council helps

Find out more about how we help and the impact we're making across Australia at impact.cancer.org.au

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

A cancer free future.

Australia has some of the best cancer outcomes in the world. However, if you are poor, an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, rural dwelling, or have a low survival cancer your chance of survival is much lower. We aim to close the gap in outcomes for disadvantaged populations.

PurposeWeareAustralia’sleadingcancercharity,unitingthecommunity,providingsupport,investinginresearchand savinglives.

Values

Improve cancer outcomes for all Australians •Reducingriskfactors•Improvingearlydetection•Reducingcancerdeaths• Extending survival•Improvingqualityoflife.

Compassion, Collaboration, Trust, Innovation & Excellence

Deciding where to invest in cancer control is a complex issue. Every new discovery is said to be a ‘breakthrough’ but few reach their potential. We aim to model where the biggest impact can be made so that investment in cancer research and treatment has the best chance of improving cancer outcomes.

Our ability to understand how well our health system is performing is hampered by poor data availability and few defined approaches to system improvement. We aim to improve Australia’s capacity to ensure all Australians receive world leading cancer treatment and care.

Reduce inequalities in cancer outcomes

Develop a cancer blueprint

Support a learning cancer system

Our priorities

• Increase understanding of factors leading to differences in cancer outcomes

• Increase awareness of inequalities• Set priorities for action to close

equity gaps• Engage partners in improving

cancer outcomes for disadvantaged populations

Our priorities

• Define priorities for action in cancer prevention, treatment and care

• Establish priorities for cancer research investment

• Engage partners in action against priorities

• Improve the capacity to measure the impact of cancer control actions

Our priorities

• Improve use of cancer data in Australia

• Define core indicators of cancer outcomes to measure improvement

• Foster the take up of improvement actions in cancer services

OUR VISION IS

oneStrategicobjective

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Cancer Council is recognised as Australia’s leading cancer charity, however we need to ensure that our community and supporters understand the work that we do and the impact we have to help as many Australians affected by cancer as possible.

Support a high functioning Cancer Council federation •EnsureCancerCouncilisperformingasthenot-for-profitleaderin CancerControltomaximiseourimpact

•SupportandenabletheworkofstateandterritoryCancerCouncils•LeveragetheskillsandservicesofstateandterritoryCancerCouncils

We are focused on identifying new opportunities to work with other charities and organisations whose goals are aligned with our own.

Across Cancer Council we have a wide range of experts who can share knowledge and improve our abiity to reduce the burden of cancer.

Demonstrate leadership and impact as Australia’s leading cancer charity

Build partnerships and collaborations that support delivery of our purpose

Build leadership across national cancer control activities

Our priorities

• Ensure that our community understand the services we provide, including cancer support, information and prevention programs

• Increase uptake of our services and programs

• Improve our ability to communicate our mission activity and share our learnings and success stories

Our priorities

• Foster collaboration across the Cancer Council federation to develop corporate relationships that support our mission work

• Enhance collaboration with other organisations with shared goals and objectives

• Find new ways to work with third-party organisations who can help us deliver on our vision of a cancer free future

Our priorities

• Use our national committees to bring together expertise across Cancer Council and inspire further collaboration

• Enable our committees to identify and action national cancer control priorities

• Work with the National Indigenous Cancer Network to identify priorities in cancer control for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

twoStrategicobjective

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AtCancerCouncil,we’rehereeveryminute,everyhour,everydayforAustraliansaffectedbycancer.

Every day, we support people affected by cancer when they need it most, speak out on behalf of the community on cancer issues, empower people to reduce their cancer risk, and find new ways to better detect and treat cancer.

Cancer never rests, so neither do we.

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of the Australian community to continue our life-saving work. Thanks to people like you, we're making great strides towards our vision of a cancer free future.

2017 /18

CANCER COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

$60 millioninvested in research

Almost

along with our research partners, making us the largest non-government funder of

research in the country

You can find more information on how Cancer Council is making an impact at impact.cancer.org.au

HERE ARE SOME OF THE WAYS WE HELPED LAST YEAR...

250,000times

Our services were used almost

by Australians affected by cancer, providing vital support when they need it most and

making every stage of their cancer journey easier

2 millionlittle Aussies protected

from harmful UV rays through our SunSmart school program, reducing their risk

of cancer in the future

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Prevention

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Reinforcing why cancer prevention is important

Promoting screening to reduce bowel cancer deaths

In December 2017 an Australian-first study confirmed that 38 per cent of cancer deaths in Australia each year – about 16,700 deaths – could be prevented, mostly through lifestyle changes.

Research by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, funded by Cancer Council Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Centre, found the biggest preventable cause of cancer deaths in Australia by far is tobacco smoke. Cancer caused by smoking and passive smoking killed almost 10,000 people in 2013, accounting for one in four cancer deaths. The other major factors were poor diet, being overweight or obese, and infections, which each caused about five per cent of all cancer deaths.

Over the past financial year, Cancer Council used this evidence to reinforce our prevention messages and programs to help Australians reduce their risk of getting cancer by making changes like quitting smoking, choosing a healthy diet and increasing physical activity.

Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer and the second most common cancer in both men and women. Yet if bowel cancer is diagnosed early the five-year survival rate is 90%. Screening detects cancers at an earlier stage and finds precancerous signs of cancer that can be treated to help people avoid bowel cancer altogether.

Since successfully advocating for the introduction of a national bowel cancer screening program, Cancer Council has continued to promote the program and

encourage eligible Australians to do the free home screening test. New research from Cancer Council NSW published this year showed that the screening program could save 84,000 lives by 2040 if more Australians take part (if we can increase participation to 60%, up from the current rate of around 40%).

These results provided further support for our calls for the Government to fund a national campaign to increase participation and save more lives.

You can find out more about our work and research in bowel cancer screening at impact.cancer.org.au/tacklingbowelcancer

You can read more about how research from Professor David Whiteman and his team at QIMR Berghofer Medical Institute are using Cancer Council funding to understand how we can prevent more cancer cases at impact.cancer.org.au/reducingcancerrisk

The free program could save 84,000 livesifjust60%ofeligible Australians takepart.

““

Prof. David WhitemanQIMR Berghofer Medical Institute

How we are stopping cancer before it starts – and helping detect it sooner

PREVENTION HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2017/18

Stopping cancer before it starts is one of the most effective ways we can achieve a cancer free future. Across the country, Cancer Council provides information and support to help Australians reduce their risk of cancer by taking action that we know helps prevent cancer, including quitting smoking, being SunSmart, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol

intake, being physically active and getting checked by participating in Australia’s screening programs. Cancer Council's awareness campaigns, education programs, advocacy initiatives and resources have prevented countless cancer cases in Australia – and we are dedicated to supporting research and seeking policy change and programs that can prevent even more.

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Helping Australians to be SunSmart

Improving melanoma management

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers - yet 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Cancer Council’s skin cancer prevention campaigns have been reminding Australians to slip, slop, slap since the 1980s and, more recently, to also seek (shade) and slide (on sunglasses).

Our SunSmart Schools program helps to protect over 2 million kids in primary schools across the country from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays each year, reducing their risk of skin cancer in the future.

We help Australians to be SunSmart through ongoing education as well as our annual National Skin Cancer Action Week campaign promoted alongside the Australasian College of Dermatologists to remind Australians how to best protect their skin and reduce their cancer risk.

The latest Government statistics show that melanoma rates in Australians under 40 are now dropping – a trend experts say is thanks to prevention campaigns like SunSmart.

However, survey data released in 2017 showed an alarming number of adults are forgetting about sun protection. Our latest National Sun Protection Survey found that the proportion of adults using clothing to

protect themselves from UV had decreased in the past three years and nearly one in five adults are sunburnt on a summer weekend.

As well as highlighting this concerning trend to the community via media and our own social media channels during National Skin Cancer Action Week, Cancer Council continued to call on the Government to fund a national skin cancer awareness campaign. Our survey has also revealed that many Australians are confused about sunscreen, with a growing number thinking it’s not safe to use sunscreen every day, and nearly one-quarter of adults wrongly thinking sunburn risk was related to the temperature or conditions such as cloud cover, wind or humidity, rather than UV.

We continue to bust these myths and enhance our information explaining the dangers of UV and the effectiveness and safety of sunscreen alongside other measures (like clothing and sunglasses) to prevent skin damage.

You can read more about Cancer Council’s National Sun Protection Survey and how it is making a difference at impact.cancer.org.au/sunsurvey

Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world. More than 14,000 Australians are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma this year.

In 2018 we updated national guidelines for health professionals who diagnose and treat people with melanoma to ensure patients get the most appropriate and effective

treatment. The new Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Melanoma reflect the latest evidence and were developed by Cancer Council Australia and Melanoma Institute Australia, with financial support from the Skin Cancer College Australasia and the Australasian College of Dermatologists.

More than

Australiansareexpectedtobediagnosedwithmelanomathisyear.

14,000

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Working to eliminate cervical cancer

Driving down smoking rates

Australia’s new cervical screening program was introduced by the Australian Government in December 2017.

Cancer Council NSW researchers provided the evidence that underpinned the shift from two-yearly Pap tests to five-yearly tests to look for the presence of HPV (human papilloma virus), the cause of almost all cervical cancers. The new test is more effective and expected to further reduce deaths from cervical cancer.

To support the introduction of the new program, in 2018 Cancer Council launched a new website (cervicalscreening.org.au) – developed with leading cervical cancer experts – to explain what the changes mean for women and encourage eligible Australians to take part in the new program.

Research from Cancer Council NSW shows that if vaccination of high school-aged boys and girls and screening coverage are maintained at current rates, cervical cancer is likely to be eliminated as a public health

problem in Australia by 2035. This means Australia is likely to be the first country to achieve this extraordinary outcome.

Australia is leading the way in cervical cancer prevention, but worldwide cervical cancer remains a threat to women’s lives with more than half a million women dying each year. Cancer Council will continue sharing our research and approaches to support global action through the World Health Organization’s call to eliminate cervical cancer.

Cancer Council has continued to remind Australians of the dangers of smoking and encouraged and supported the Government’s world-leading initiatives to help smokers to quit, including plain packaging and increasing the cost of cigarettes through tax excise.

New research published this year showed that the proportion of Australians motivated to quit by the rising cost of tobacco products increased from around 36% to almost 56% over the past decade. Increasing price is one of the most effective strategies to reduce cancer rates and the other harms of tobacco.

Across the country Cancer Council also runs several Quitlines which help support Australians to kick the habit.

Australian smoking rates are now the lowest on record at under 13% of adults, and only 2% of teenagers are smokers. However,

smoking is still the leading cause of cancer death and the rate of quitting has slowed in recent years. Hence Cancer Council Australia continues to call on the Federal Government to fund antismoking campaigns to help people quit, particularly in low socio-economic communities. Our successes so far in driving down smoking rates mean countries around the world are following Australia’s lead, and Cancer Council continues to share our learnings and resources. This year Kylie Lindorff, Manager of Tobacco Control Policy at Cancer Council Victoria and a former Chair of Cancer Council’s national Tobacco Issues Committee, was elected Vice Chair of the Board of the Framework Convention Alliance, an international non-government organisation working to support implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Cancer Council Australia also supports international tobacco control advocate Mary Assunta in her work with the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA). SEATCA is a non-government organisation assisting countries in the southeast Asia region to implement the FCTC. Core activities this year included publication of the Asian Tobacco Industry (TI) Interference Index, which highlighted the glacial place of most countries in protecting public policy from tobacco industry influence and interference, and documenting incentives tobacco companies are providing to retailers in the region.

Our researchers supported the introduction of Australia's new cervical screening program, providing the evidence to support the changes. With our leading cervical screening and HPV vaccination program Australia is now set to be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.

Find out more about the worldwide call to eliminate cervical cancer by watching our video at cancer.org.au/eliminatingcervicalcancer

You can also find out more about how Cancer Council research is putting Australia on track to eliminate cervical cancer at impact.cancer.org.au/eliminatingcervicalcancer

Read more about how Cancer Council research has helped Australia lead the world in tobacco control at impact.cancer.org.au/leadingtobaccocontrol

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Support

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Every day we give those affected by cancer support when they need it most. We also produce clinical guidance and evidence-based updates for health professionals to support them in delivering world’s best practice in treatment and care for people with cancer. Supporting people affected by cancer is at the heart of everything we do. We know that coping with cancer is challenging, and when you or someone you love is dealing with a cancer diagnosis, travelling for treatment, or adjusting to life after cancer treatment, getting the right information and support is crucial.

Cancer Council is the only charity in Australia that delivers a

comprehensive range of support services for all people, affected by all cancers, across every state and territory. Our support services include information, counselling, practical and emotional support, all designed with and for people affected by cancer, for every stage of the cancer journey.

In the past year, our support and information services were used almost 250,000 times by Australians affected by cancer, providing vital support when they need it most and making every stage of their cancer journey easier.

Cancer Council is the only charity in Australia that delivers acomprehensive range of support services for all people, affectedby all cancers.

Our free publications and booklets help Australians better understand cancer and help them navigate their own experience.

Our websites provide reliable cancer information and support.

5 millionAlmost

online visits

764,200More than

free booklets distributed

You can find more information on how Cancer Council is making an impact by providing support to all Australians affected by cancer at impact.cancer.org.au/support

Our network of pro bono advisers provide free legal and financial advice to Australians impacted by cancer.

$4.8 millionworth of free legal and

financial  advice provided

Cancer Council 13 11 20 provides information and support to anyone impacted by cancer.

41,000Over

callers received support and information

Cancer Council accomodation services offer a home away from home for those who have to travel to treatment.

107,700

nights of subsidised accommodation provided

We’re here for all Australians affected by cancer

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Cancer Council research shows that over the next two decades the number of people living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis will increase by 72%. By 2040, nearly 2 million people will be living with direct impacts – physical, psychological and/or financial – of having had cancer. Our aim is to ensure no Australian faces cancer alone, and that everyone is aware of the wide range of services and programs Cancer Council offers.

People know about Cancer Council’s progress in cancer research over the past five decades, and our prevention campaigns and fundraising events, which are some of the most recognised in Australia. However, we know from our research that many Australians aren't aware of the wide range of support services we offer across the country, which are often vitally important to people with cancer and their loved ones.

In order to help even more people affected by cancer and let all Australians know we’re here when they need us most, this year we created content to share with our community to increase awareness and understanding of Cancer Council programs and services across Australia. Everyone featured in the content is a real person with a real story who turned to Cancer Council for help. Their stories demonstrate the breadth of our services and how we connect people with the information and support they need at the right time and our aim is to encourage more Australians to use our free services. Cancer Council would like to thank all the people who gave up their time to share their stories with us.

You can find out more at cancer.org.au/howwehelp

Helping Australians understand and access our services

Do you know how many Australians are living with

or beyond cancer?

NOW

SUPPORT HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2017/18

Gaining a better understanding of who uses our services Part of Cancer Council Australia’s role is enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing between our state and territory Cancer Council member organisations – to help improve our support programs and offerings to ensure we meet the needs of all Australians.

This year our National Supportive Care Committee developed a new standard national reporting framework to improve collection and analysis of information about the reach of our support services across the country.

This information is helping us identify any gaps and opportunities to better promote our support services to increase reach and uptake across the country.

1.1MILLION

BY 2040

MILLION2

THAT'S AN INCREASE OF

72%

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Highlighting financial inequalities and financial stress Estimates suggest that the poorest members of our community are 37% more likely to die of cancer than the richest.

People in the lowest socioeconomic groups are also more vulnerable to increased financial stress following a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

A new review published by Cancer Council in our journal Cancer Forum in 2017 found nearly half of all Australian cancer survivors experience financial stress and one in five say that cost-related factors influenced their decisions about treatment. Out-of-pocket costs for treatment and related care contribute to the already severe physical

and psychological impact of cancer on patients and their families. People with cancer and their carers are also often unable to work or have to reduce their work hours, worsening the financial strain.

Our review of the evidence around “financial toxicity” helped put this important issue in the public spotlight – with hundreds of media reports highlighting the problem.

We are now calling for greater transparency about the costs of cancer treatment and better information for patients about lower or no cost care options, to help Australians with cancer make informed decisions to reduce financial toxicity.

In 2018 we commenced work on a new Financial Consent Standard, which was launched for public consultation in late 2018. We anticipate that it will set a new benchmark for how health professionals communicate about the cost of cancer treatment and support patients to decide between settings and types of care, while still obtaining the best possible cancer treatment.

saythatcost-relatedfactorsinfluencedtheirdecisionsabouttreatment.

1 in 5

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Delivering up-to-date clinical guidance to healthcare professionals Cancer Council is the nation’s leading independent provider of cancer guidelines. We have produced clinical practice guidelines for the management of various cancer types for clinicians and health professionals involved in treatment, prevention, detection and/or patient care.

We use a wiki-based publishing system to enable efficient updates, dissemination, public consultation and engagement with contributors. In 2017-18 over 280,000 individual users accessed our clinical practice guidelines online.

Key activities in 2017-18 included:

• We started revision of Clinicalpracticeguideline:keratinocytecancer(non-melanomaskincancer).

• Public consultation was completed for the revision of the ClinicalPracticeGuidelinesforSurveillanceColonoscopy.

• ClinicalPracticeGuidelinesfortheprevention,earlydetectionandmanagement of colorectal cancer were officially approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council and are available on our wiki guidelines site.

• Further sections of the Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of melanoma were released for public consultation including guidance on ocular and mucosal melanoma, treatment approaches for metastatic melanoma, and managing melanoma during pregnancy.

In2017-18over

individual users assessed our clinical practiceguidelinesonline.

280,000

Promoting optimal care pathways

Prescribing exercise to aid cancer recovery

When you are diagnosed with cancer, getting the right treatment at the right time is crucial. New Optimal Care Pathways have been produced through a partnership between the Federal Government and Cancer Council, with Cancer Council Victoria leading the development.

They outline the best management and care for specific tumour types. The pathways are the first national resources of their kind, designed to promote a full understanding of the patient journey and best practice in cancer care at each stage. There are now 19 tumour-specific pathways in

formats for both clinicians and those with cancer. Patient versions explain ‘what to expect’ at each stage of diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

We continue to expand, review and enhance Pathways and promote them nationally to increase awareness and uptake.

Research has shown cancer patients who exercise regularly experience fewer and less severe side effects from treatments. They also have a lower relative risk of cancer returning and a lower relative risk of dying from their cancer.

In 2018 Cancer Council Australia joined with the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) to develop and promote a new position statement on exercise and cancer. The statement recommends

exercise as a safe and effective way to reduce and help patients cope with negative physical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment. The statement provides guidance for all health professionals involved in the care of people with cancer about integrating safe exercise into routine cancer care and extensive media coverage of the new position statement has helped promote the benefits of exercise in Australia and across the globe.

Find out more at cancer.org.au/optimalcarepathways

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Research

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Cancer Council is a globally-respected leader in funding and conducting cancer research that has played a key role in the significant progress in cancer prevention, treatment, and support.

Thanks to our community of supporters, Cancer Council is the largest non-government funder of cancer research in Australia, investing $288 million over the past five years alone. Our investment extends across all cancers, and all stages of the cancer journey – from understanding cancer causes and prevention to saving and extending lives and supporting all people affected.

Cancer Council funds more cancer research than any other non-government organisation in Australia.

In 2017 our members, along with research partners, invested nearly $60 million in cancer research across Australia to help unlock more answers to a cancer free future.

WHAT WE FUNDED:

BREAKING DOWN OUR SPEND IN

2017

$59.3 million

651 276 45

together with our research partners towards world-class cancer research.

Researchers Projects Institutions

We contributed almost

You can find out more about how we invest our research dollars at impact.cancer.org.au/research

We’re unlocking the answers to a cancer free future

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

The selection process for Cancer Council research grants is rigorous, transparent and highly competitive.

From among the thousands of projects we could fund, expert panels choose those which:

• Have the most innovative ideas with the greatest potential promise to make the biggest difference.

• Come from research teams with the best chance of success both now and in the future.

• Are likely to significantly reduce the impact of cancer in one or more of the following aspects: prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support.

Our new national research report (impact.cancer.org.au/research) highlights the impact researchers supported by Cancer Council have made in cancer prevention and stopping cancer before it starts, unlocking cancer’s secrets to improve outcomes, saving and extending lives and supporting those affected.

Meet some of our Cancer Council funded researchers

Cancer Council researcher Professor Melanie Wakefield is globally recognised for her rigorous population-based and experimental studies which have demonstrated the beneficial outcomes of mass media campaigns and tobacco control policies on smoking behaviour. Find out more at impact.cancer.org.au/leadingtobaccocontrol

Professor Joanne Aitken leads the Australian Childhood Cancer Registry, a critical Australian research tool driving major cancer research discoveries both here and overseas. Find out more at impact.cancer.org.au/childhoodcancerregistry

With the support of Cancer Council, one Australian researcher Professor Gregory Monteith with a brilliant idea has been able to establish a global field of research that aims to transform how we treat and improve survival for the hardest to treat forms of breast cancers. Find out more at impact.cancer.org.au/breastcancertreatments

Associate Professor David Smith is leading one of the world’s longest studies into the experiences of men diagnosed with prostate cancer. His research aims to answer important questions around early detection, treatment and ongoing quality of life. Find out more at impact.cancer.org.au/supportforprostatecancer

Meet more Cancer Council funded researchers at cancer.org.au/meetourresearchers

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Corporate partnerships.Cancer Council Australia develops partnerships with national companies to help us work towards our shared goal of a cancer free future and support Australians impacted by cancer.

This year we have launched and grown several innovative strategic partnerships with national corporate partners. Our new partners provide not only financial support but also their reach, resources and expertise to help Cancer Council achieve our objectives.

In 2017-18:• New partners Dexus and Target Tradies gifted significant

media space to help us reach hundreds of thousands more people with vital cancer prevention and support messages.

• ARQ Group, a leading app developer, committed $200,000 pro bono support to develop a new digital solution to help people access Cancer Council’s information and support services.

• Through a partnership with AIA Australia, we became a beneficiary charity of AIA Vitality, a health and wellness program that rewards healthy choices. Members can choose to donate their reward points to Cancer Council.

• Shout, powered by ANZ, has enabled us to use Blade payment devices at events including Relay for Life and Daffodil Day. Through their support we have also become the first charity

in Australia to use a fundraising platform using donate with ApplePay. ANZ staff also supported Cancer Council by volunteering and fundraising for campaigns throughout the year.

• PACCAR Australia and Lux Group joined us as corporate supporters in early 2018, each aiming to raise $100,000 in their first year of support. Lux Group also provided marketing support to help broaden our reach for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.

• We also received generous in-kind support for Australia’s Biggest Morning tea from Twinings (who donated 200,000 teabags), and Salt&Pepper and Double Tree by Hilton (each contributed fundraising prizes).

• A cause related marketing campaign with Narta, Australasia’s largest independent electrical buying group, raised over $150,000 in their second year of supporting Cancer Council.

We greatly value the ongoing support of our long-term national partners.

• StarTrack has supported our annual Daffodil Day fundraising event for 17 years. Each year StarTrack delivers Daffodil Day merchandise to thousands of locations around Australia free of charge – in-kind support valued at more than $2 million over that time. In addition, StarTrack staff showed their support by dressing up in yellow and hosting morning teas and other fun activities to raise awareness and funds.

• Gordon & Gotch supported Cancer Council for the ninth year running, selling Daffodil Day merchandise in over 1000 newsagencies across Australia and taking the total funds raised during our partnership to over $1.6 million.

• Woolworths continued their support by selling daffodils for Daffodil Day and special Pink Ribbon bouquets during October, donating a percentage of every sale to Cancer Council. Woolworths has raised over $1.2 million for Cancer Council since our partnership began.

• Special thanks to our friends at Coles Express who, in the final year of our partnership, raised over $200,000 through their support of Daffodil Day – bringing the total raised since 2011 to over $4.6 million.

• Our thanks also to Candlebark, Century 21 and AGL who have supported Cancer Council for the past year.

Cancer Council Australia manages national corporate partners, however our state and territory offices also work locally with a range of corporate partners. For more details on local partnerships please visit your local Cancer Council's Annual Report.

New supporters

Longstanding supporters

20

Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Workplace giving

Workplace or payroll giving is one of the simplest and most cost-efficient ways our community can support our work. It enables employees to make regular pre-tax donations to Cancer Council through automated payroll deductions, and employers often match funds donated by employees. In 2017-18, Cancer Council Australia’s Workplace Giving program partners and their employees donated over $770,000 to support our work. In addition, many employers encouraged and enabled staff to participate in our events or volunteer their work time to assist with our fundraising, which was greatly valued.

Our leading Workplace Giving partners in 2017-18 were:

• Telstra • Australia Post• IAG Foundation• Event Hospitality & Entertainment• Pricewaterhouse Coopers• Orica Australia• ANZ• Caltex Australia• Arrium Mining• AGL

Providing Australians with access to high quality, affordable sun protection

As part of our efforts to prevent and lessen the impact of skin cancer, we develop and license a broad range of Cancer Council branded sun protection products. Our aim is to provide Australians with effective and affordable protection from UV radiation.

In 2017-18 royalties from the sale of Cancer Council sun protection products increased, delivering more than $3 million to support our research, support and prevention programs.

Cancer Council sunscreen products are now available from more than 10,000 retail outlets across Australia. For the third year in a row, Reader’s Digest’s trusted brand survey found Cancer Council was the most trusted sunscreen brand in the country and our sunscreen continues to be the highest selling in Australia. This year we also developed a new range of affordable, high quality Cancer Council sun safe rash vests available at Big W, further extending the reach of our affordable sun protection products.

We also continue to refine and improve our sun protection messaging and range. After published research showed that 85 percent of Australians didn’t apply enough sunscreen, last summer we put an increased focus on educating Australians about correct sunscreen use. This has included revamping our sunscreen labels to highlight the importance of applying at least one teaspoon

per limb, reminding Australians of the need to apply 20 minutes before sun exposure, reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming, sweating or towel drying, and continuing to stress the importance of using other forms of sun protection alongside sunscreen. Acknowledging that it’s harder to get the right application when using an aerosol product, we also discontinued our aerosol product range and reformatted our products into bottles that simplified correct application. We also reinforced in our public messaging that sunscreens are a therapeutic product and as such may cause reactions in a small proportion of people. We encouraged those with known allergies and sensitive skin to take extra care in finding the right sunscreen for them. Based on the latest advice from the Australasian College of Dermatologists, we also reminded Australian parents to keep babies out of direct sun and recommended that sunscreen not generally be used for babies under 6 months of age.

Oursunscreenproductsareavailable in more than

retail outlets across Australia

10,000

21

Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Our board and governance.

OurBoardoverseesthestrategicdirectionandpolicy-makingactivities ofCancerCouncilAustralia.

The Board comprises:• an independent Chair appointed by the Board• a nominee from each state and territory member

organisation• three additional nominees, one each from NSW, Queensland

and Victoria, nominated by the respective member board• a Consumer Director, appointed by the Board • a nominee from the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.

Cancer Council Australia is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission Act 2012. Ultimate responsibility for the governance of the company rests with the Board of Directors. Cancer Council’s governance statement outlines how the Board meets that responsibility.

Our work is also supported by National Committees that ensure our work is informed by the best available evidence. Our committees include:

As at 30 June 2018, Cancer Council Australia employed 39 staff: 28 permanent, full-time equivalent (FTE) and 11 contract FTE. As a small organisation, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive, social and collaborative culture.

Our committees

Our people

Public Health Committee • Subcommittee: Cancer Screening and Immunisation

Committee• Subcommittee: Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee• Subcommittee: Occupational and Environmental

Cancer Committee• Subcommittee: Skin Cancer Committee• Subcommitee: Tobacco Issues Committee

The Board met six times in 2017-18. An Annual General Meeting was held in November 2017.

There are three Board committees:• the Executive Committee consults with the Chief Executive

Officer on managerial and other issues delegated by the Board and acts as an advisory group to the CEO between Board Meetings.

• the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee oversees the audit of business and operational matters, identifies and manages business risk, and advises on matters relating to financial performance and budget development

• the Governance Committee oversees and advises the Board on issues relating to the current review of the constitution and on other matters relating to governance.

Supportive Care Committee• National Cancer Information Working Group• Subcommittee: 13 11 20• Subcommittee: Peer Support

Health Services Advisory Committee

• Data Working Group

You can find a list of our board members and our governance statement at cancer.org.au/board

Meet our Executive Team and read more about our workplace culture at cancer.org.au/culture

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Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Cancer Council Australia’s costs are covered by annual subscriptions from our eight members and this is how our financial accounts are constructed. In 2017/18, these subscriptions were $7.45m. Cancer Council Australia focuses on working with our members on cost-effective delivery of national services and programs, including cancer support, prevention, advocacy and research. To understand more about the collective impact our Cancer Council federation is making across Australia please visit impact.cancer.org.au

The graph to the left shows Cancer Council Australia’s income and expenditure for the 2017/18 financial year. It does not reflect the spending and wider contribution of the whole Cancer Council federation. Each state and territory Cancer Council produces its own annual financial reports.

As well as subscription income from state and territory Cancer Councils, other Cancer Council Australia income comes from marketing funding contributed by our sun protection product licensees. In 2017/18 this Central Marketing Fund contribution was $630,000. We invest these funds, together with our own contribution, to deliver campaigns to promote Cancer Council branded sun protection products, as well as generally encouraging Australians to use sun protection. Our other income ($695,000) predominantly comes from project grants and income we received to deliver on specific health initiatives, with interest ($130,000) making up the balance of our income for the year.

The column on the right shows how we spend our funds for impact.

In 2017/18, our expenditure included: national information and support resources ($1.46m); national advocacy and prevention programs ($1.36m); sun protection and product marketing ($1.13m); national websites and communication of our cancer programs and mission delivery ($1.06m); media and communications to support Cancer Councils evidence-based work ($630,000); and research projects ($396,000).

Please note Cancer Council Australia’s research spend is a small component of our bigger Cancer Council Federation research spend of more than $59.29m in 2017.

Cancer Council Australia also spent $1.18m on fundraising to generate income for its members, as well as $312,000 on administration and governance costs.

A special distribution of $962,000 was made to Cancer Council members reflecting unspent subscription funds during the year, largely because of efficiency gains achieved. The members also agreed that a further $413,000 be retained by Cancer Council Australia for future programs.

For more detail please read our audited financial report for the year ended 30 June 2018 at cancer.org.au/financialreport18

Cancer Council Australia is part of the Cancer Council federation, the members of which are the eight state and territory Cancer Councils. Together, the nine of us make up Australia’s leading cancer charity. Cancer Council Australia is an independent charity receiving no ongoing government funding.

All of the income Cancer Council Australia generates (mostly from the sale of sun protection products, fundraising events, donations and corporate partnerships) is returned to our eight Cancer Council members to help fund local research, prevention, advocacy and support services. In 2017/18 we generated $7.10m for this important work.

Financial review.

$8m

$7m

$6m

$5m

$4m

$3m

$2m

$1m

$0m

$9m

ExpensesIncome

2017/18

Member body subscriptions

$7.45m

Central marketing

fund income $0.63m

Other revenue $0.69m Surplus Invested

$0.41m

Research $0.40m

Media & communication

$0.63m

Special distribution to members

$0.96m

Digital & Mission Marketing

$1.06m

Fundraising Expense $1.18m

Promotion of Sun Protection Products

$1.13m

Advocacy & Prevention $1.36m

Information & Support $1.46m

Interest income $0.13m

Admin & Governance $0.31m

23

Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Thank you.Asacharity,werelyonthegenerosity ofthecommunitytocontinueour life-savingwork.

Your support helps us fund vital cancer research, run life-saving education programs, and support the thousands of Australians affected by cancer each year who need our help.

Because of you, every day we are getting closer to a cancer free future.

But our work isn’t done yet.

It is estimated that in 2018 alone, 138,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer and we know that at least one in three cancers could be prevented through lifestyle changes.

With more people being diagnosed and surviving cancer than ever before – the support services offered by Cancer Council have never been more vital.

Whilst we’ve seen significant progress overall in Australian cancer survival rates, we mustn’t forget the work we need to do to improve the equality of cancer outcomes for all Australians affected.

We need to close this gap in cancer outcomes and we won’t rest until we’ve dramatically reduced the significant impact cancer has on loved ones, families and every member of our community.

We thank you for your continued support. Together, we will get closer to a cancer free future.

Wewon’trestuntilwe’vedramaticallyreducedthesignificant impact cancer has on lovedones,familiesandeverymemberofourcommunity

24

Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

Whilst we’ve seen significant progress overall in Australian cancer survival rates, we mustn’t forget the work we need to do to improve

the equality of cancer outcomes for all Australians affected.

Cancer survival rates remain unequal across cancer types – for instance while overall

cancer survival is almost 70%, 5 year survival rates for pancreatic cancer remains just 9%.

Overall cancer

70% survival

Pancreatic cancer

9% survival

Those living in rural or remote areas of the country face a

of cancer compared to those living in urban areas of Australia.

risk of dying within 5 years

13% greater

The the most socio-economically (SES) disadvantaged Australians are 37% more likely to die of cancer than

the richest.

Low SES

High SES

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have cancer rates that are 10% higher than the rest of the

population as well as

43%higher mortaility rates

25

Cancer Council Annual Report 2017/18

13 11 20

cancer.org.au

For information or support call

If you're looking for information, support or services offered in your area, call us on 13 11 20 or visit your local Cancer Council website.