Share, help others, give back, be heard
If you or a loved one have had a cancer diagnosis you have ‘lived experience’ which gives your feedback weight and collectively, can influence change, which is an invaluable thing.
While Victoria has some of the best cancer survival outcomes in the world, there are still differences in cancer treatment and inequities in patient experience and survival.
Cancer Council is working to improve cancer outcomes for all Victorians, but we can’t do this alone and need your help. By joining our Community Advisory Network, you get the opportunity to use your experience and be involved in activities that aim to improve the cancer experience for others.
Community Advisory Network
I like getting involved at various levels of the organisation as it helps me understand how the organisation works. It also stimulates my brain. I want to ensure that the organisation hears the voice of the consumer and community whenever they undertake any activity.”
Naveena, Community Advisory Network member
Our Community Advisory Network has over 100 members who have either had a cancer diagnosis themselves or who have cared for someone who has.
With a range of cancer and treatment experiences, all members have joined so they can use their personal experience to give back, inform the work we do and help to see improved cancer outcomes for other Victorians.
Ways to get involved may include:
- sharing your story to illustrate your experience with health or support services
- providing feedback on our cancer information or support services
- informing research funding decision-making
- participating in discussion groups on important issues
- sharing insights to support our policy and advocacy activities
- speaking at events or in some cases doing an interview with media
- joining committees that steer our programs and research.
Register your details and we’ll be in touch with opportunities to get involved .
Get involved
Issues we’re tackling
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had cancer yourself, having family members with cancer affects you, your family and your friends. By volunteering my time, I feel I can help others”.
Sandra, Community Advisory Network member
Through our policy and advocacy activities we work with clinicians, researchers, community members, governments and policy makers, non-government organisations and cancer agencies to highlight key areas of need and inequity.
Our priorities for urgent action focus on improving outcomes in prevention, early detection, treatment, support and research for all Victorians and include:
- providing equitable access to treatment and supportive care
- reducing the cost of cancer
- preventing and detecting cancer early
- improving access to clinical trials.
Learn more about ways you can get involved with our policy and advocacy work here.
Cancer Consumer-led Research Partnership
This pioneering program isn't just offering a pathway that provides a clear and consistent approach, it's forging an exciting new standard for consumer leadership. By empowering individuals with lived experience to engage meaningfully, we're fostering a more equitable, impactful, patient-centric cancer healthcare system.”
Rochelle, CCV, Community Advisory Network Member
The Statewide Cancer Consumer-led Research Partnership is a pioneering initiative elevating the voices of Victorians affected by cancer to drive positive changes in the healthcare system.
In partnership with four other cancer control organisations, we’re aiming to enhance the way the cancer sector engages with consumers, through:
- collaboration
- consumer-led approaches, and
- the development of a statewide network of consumer leaders.
A key initiative of the partnership is to develop and deliver an immersive consumer education and mentor training program, “Lead with Lived Experience: enhancing cancer care”.
The pilot program aims to directly engage 20 consumers from across Victoria, ensuring a diverse range of voices are represented from various roles and functions in the healthcare system.
Learn more
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Cancer stories
Bendigo father of two, Tim, has been conscious of his health for a long time.
Losing his father to bowel cancer when he was a child, and having his paternal grandfather, aunt and uncle diagnosed with the disease, he knew it was important to check his own bowel cancer risk.
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Looking back on his journey with cancer, Peter can reflect on the experience with positivity.
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Despite his advanced cancer diagnosis, Braxton lives every day looking for the positive in life.
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