Cancer Council Victoria
An independent Victorian not-for-profit organisation focused on cancer prevention, research, advocacy, information and support.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Cancer Council Victoria is an independent not-for-profit organisation whose work is directed toward reducing the impact of cancer in Victoria. Established by the Victorian Government in 1936 under the Anti-Cancer Council Act, it was deliberately constituted as an organisation independent of government. It combines public-health advocacy, cancer research, prevention programs, patient and family support, cancer information services, epidemiological data collection and fundraising. The organisation operates across the cancer-control continuum rather than concentrating on a single disease or service. Its policy and advocacy work provides advice to governments and other institutions on issues such as tobacco control, skin-cancer prevention, screening, alcohol and obesity policy, and access to appropriate support for people affected by cancer. Its research activities have included behavioural research, cancer epidemiology, tobacco-control research and clinical research covering a broad range of cancers. The organisation has also funded research fellowships and contributed to discoveries with international clinical significance. A notable example is the Carden Fellowship awarded to Donald Metcalf in 1954; his subsequent work on colony-stimulating factors helped establish treatments that have been used in cancer care worldwide. Cancer Council Victoria has played a particularly visible role in prevention. It developed the Slip-Slop-Slap skin-cancer campaign, launched in 1981, which encouraged people to slip on protective clothing, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. The campaign became one of Australia's best-known public-health initiatives and helped make sun protection a mainstream component of Australian health education. The organisation also has a long record of anti-smoking advocacy dating from the early 1960s. Through Quit Victoria, a joint initiative involving Cancer Council Victoria, VicHealth, the Victorian Department of Health and the National Heart Foundation of Australia, it has supported smoking cessation and tobacco-control campaigning. Cancer Council Victoria's support services have roots in an information service offered to Victorians since 1940. Contemporary services include the Cancer Information and Support Service, multilingual telephone assistance through the Cancer Council Helpline, online support, peer support through Cancer Connect and other information and referral initiatives. The organisation has also contributed to specialist education, including postgraduate training for nurses caring for people with breast cancer, developed with La Trobe University. The Victorian Cancer Registry, operated within Cancer Council Victoria, has maintained statistical records on cancer in Victoria since 1982. Its data support epidemiological research, health-policy development and public reporting. The organisation also facilitates or supports prevention and policy initiatives including SunSmart, PapScreen Victoria, Get Behind Bowel Screening, Cut Your Cancer Risk, the Parents' Jury, the Obesity Policy Coalition and the Alcohol Policy Coalition. Cancer Council Victoria is one of the state and territory Cancer Councils that together make up Cancer Council Australia. It raises funds through national and local activities such as Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Relay For Life, Daffodil Day, Call to Arms and Girls' Night In. The organisation's daffodil emblem represents hope. It was formerly known as The Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, adopted The Cancer Council Victoria name in 2002 and dropped the initial article in 2008.
History
Cancer Council Victoria traces its institutional history to 1936, when the Victorian Government established the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria through the Anti-Cancer Council Act. The legislation created a body intended to remain independent of government, allowing it to advise public authorities while maintaining an organisational role in research, education and community action. This independent structure became central to the organisation's identity as a public-interest cancer-control institution rather than a government department or a clinical hospital. An information service for Victorians was operating by 1940, establishing an early foundation for the organisation's later support and referral work. Over time, the council expanded beyond information provision into cancer research, public education, advocacy, prevention and assistance for patients and families. Its work addressed both the medical consequences of cancer and the social and behavioural factors that influence cancer risk and outcomes. Research has been a persistent part of the organisation's history. In 1954, Cancer Council Victoria awarded the Carden Fellowship to Donald Metcalf. Metcalf's subsequent research on colony-stimulating factors contributed to the development of therapies used in the treatment of millions of cancer patients internationally. Cancer Council Victoria has also supported clinical research across numerous cancer types and developed internal research capacity through bodies including the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, the Cancer Epidemiology Centre and the Tobacco Control Unit. Its research program has combined laboratory and clinical interests with population-level study of cancer behaviour, prevention and policy. The organisation became especially influential in tobacco control and skin-cancer prevention. Its anti-smoking advocacy dates to the early 1960s, before the 1964 United States Surgeon General's report that helped consolidate international recognition of the relationship between tobacco and cancer. Cancer Council Victoria later became a partner in Quit Victoria, a multi-organisation initiative involving VicHealth, the Victorian Department of Health and the National Heart Foundation of Australia. Quit's campaigns encouraged smokers to stop and supported broader tobacco-control policy. In 1981, Cancer Council Victoria developed and launched Slip-Slop-Slap. The campaign's simple instructions to wear protective clothing, apply sunscreen and wear a hat gave Australian audiences a memorable framework for reducing ultraviolet exposure. It became an iconic public-health campaign and was subsequently regarded as one of Australia's most effective and cost-efficient health initiatives. The organisation continued to support prevention programs addressing skin cancer, tobacco, screening, diet, alcohol and obesity. The Victorian Cancer Registry, operating within Cancer Council Victoria since 1982, added a formal surveillance function. By maintaining records of cancer incidence and related statistics, the registry supplied evidence for epidemiological research, policy design and public reporting. The organisation also partnered with La Trobe University on specialist postgraduate training for nurses providing tailored care to people with breast cancer, extending its influence into professional education and service quality. The council's name changed as its public role broadened. In 2002, The Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria rebranded as The Cancer Council Victoria. In 2008, it removed the initial article and adopted the current name, Cancer Council Victoria. The organisation is part of the wider Cancer Council Australia network, alongside the other state and territory Cancer Councils, while retaining a distinct Victorian operating focus. Today, Cancer Council Victoria combines research, advocacy, prevention, surveillance, support and fundraising. Its Cancer Information and Support Service includes multilingual telephone assistance through the Cancer Council Helpline, online resources and peer support through Cancer Connect. Its public-facing programs and partnerships include SunSmart, Quit Victoria, PapScreen Victoria, Get Behind Bowel Screening, Cut Your Cancer Risk, the Parents' Jury, the Obesity Policy Coalition and the Alcohol Policy Coalition. Fundraising activities such as Daffodil Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Relay For Life, Call to Arms and Girls' Night In help finance cancer-control work. The daffodil used in its visual identity symbolises hope.
- 2008
Current name adopted
[1]The organisation dropped the initial article and became Cancer Council Victoria.
- 2002
Organisation rebranded as The Cancer Council Victoria
[1]The former Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria adopted a new public name reflecting the Cancer Council identity.
- 1982
Victorian Cancer Registry incorporated into the organisation
[1]The registry began its role in maintaining Victorian cancer statistics for research, policy development and public reporting.
- 1981
Slip-Slop-Slap launched
[1]Cancer Council Victoria introduced the landmark skin-cancer prevention campaign promoting protective clothing, sunscreen and hats.
- 1954
Carden Fellowship awarded to Donald Metcalf
[1]The fellowship supported Donald Metcalf's research, which led to major work on colony-stimulating factors and their use in cancer treatment.
- 1940
Cancer information service available to Victorians
[1]The organisation's long-running cancer information service dates from 1940 and later developed into a broader information and support system.
- 1936
Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria established
[1]The Victorian Government established the council under the Anti-Cancer Council Act, with an explicit requirement that it remain independent of government.
Products and positioning
A state-based, evidence-led cancer-control organisation combining research, prevention, advocacy, surveillance, public education, fundraising and practical support for people affected by cancer.
Patient information and support · 1940
Cancer Information and Support Service
A service providing cancer information, guidance and practical support to people affected by cancer and their families. Its activities include multilingual telephone assistance through the Cancer Council Helpline, online resources and other support pathways. The service developed from the organisation's Victorian cancer information work, which dates back to 1940.
Peer support
Cancer Connect
A peer-support initiative connecting people affected by cancer with others able to share relevant lived experience. It forms part of Cancer Council Victoria's broader support offering for patients and families.
Cancer surveillance · 1982
Victorian Cancer Registry
A cancer registry that maintains statistical records on cancer in Victoria. Its information supports epidemiological research, policy development and regular reporting for the public, while more detailed data can be supplied for research purposes.
Skin-cancer prevention
SunSmart
A skin-cancer prevention program associated with Cancer Council Victoria's long-standing work on ultraviolet exposure and sun protection. It carries forward the public-health approach established by the Slip-Slop-Slap campaign.
Tobacco control
Quit Victoria
A joint tobacco-control and smoking-cessation initiative involving Cancer Council Victoria, VicHealth, the Victorian Department of Health and the National Heart Foundation of Australia. Its campaigns encourage smokers to attempt quitting and support broader tobacco-control goals.
Marketing campaigns
- 1981Slip-Slop-Slap
Australia
A skin-cancer prevention campaign created by Cancer Council Victoria that encouraged people to slip on protective clothing, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Its memorable formula made sun protection accessible to a mass audience.
Outcome. It became an iconic Australian public-health campaign and has been described as one of the country's most successful and cost-effective health initiatives.
- Quit Victoria campaigns
Victoria · Australia
Smoking-cessation and tobacco-control campaigns delivered through the Quit Victoria partnership, encouraging smokers to quit and supporting public-health advocacy on tobacco.
Outcome. The campaigns have been reported as effective in encouraging people to make a quit attempt.
- Daffodil Day
Australia
A Cancer Council fundraising activity associated with the organisation's daffodil emblem and its symbolism of hope.
- Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
Australia
A national fundraising event run through the Cancer Council network to support cancer-control work.
- Relay For Life
Australia
A fundraising and community participation event operated through the Cancer Council network.
- Girls' Night In
Australia
A Cancer Council fundraising activity listed among the organisation's national and state-supported fundraising events.
Brand decisions
2008
Adoption of the Cancer Council Victoria nameStrategyBackground
The organisation continued to align its name with the Cancer Council identity used across Australia's state and territory cancer organisations.
Action taken
It dropped the initial article from The Cancer Council Victoria.
Aftermath
Cancer Council Victoria became the organisation's current name.
2002
Rebrand from Anti-Cancer Council of VictoriaStrategyBackground
The organisation updated its public identity as part of the wider Cancer Council naming structure.
Action taken
It adopted the name The Cancer Council Victoria.
Aftermath
The name was subsequently simplified to Cancer Council Victoria in 2008.
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