Cancer Council Victoria

Today is Cancer Nurses Day, a day to celebrate the incredible work being done by cancer nurses nationwide. At Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 support line, our dedicated cancer nurses like Laura make an incredible impact. Laura has been a Clinical Nurse Specialist on our support line since 2023 and brings over 15 years of oncology experience. “I’ve always loved connecting and building rapport with people. Talking to them about the real experience that they’re having. The 13 11 20 support line is a nice way for me to use my nursing experience and help in a different capacity.” Whether you're a patient, carer, family member or friend, our nurses are here to help. The nurses offer a safe space to debrief, get some extra information, or be linked in with other services if needed. Thank you to all cancer nurses for their dedication and compassion 💛 Need support? You can call our nurses on 13 11 20 Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or visit https://lnkd.in/gw32RCPn #CancerNursesDay #CancerSupport Cancer Nurses Society Of Australia (CNSA)

Today is World Hepatitis Day. Hepatitis B is a virus that can affect your liver and increase your risk of liver cancer. Over half of all liver cancer cases worldwide are caused by a hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B-related liver cancer can be prevented through early detection of the virus and treatment to protect the liver from damage. Health professionals play a vital role in recommending hepatitis B testing for their patients who may be at risk to help reduce their risk of liver damage and cancer. Early detection of hepatitis B saves lives. Find out more: https://ccvic.org/3SkWLEp #HepatitisAwareness #LiverCancer

We’ve joined with The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity today to call for increased hepatitis B testing, with new data showing one in three Victorians living with hepatitis B are yet to be diagnosed, increasing their risk of liver cancer. Early detection of hepatitis B saves lives. Ask your doctor for a blood test today. Read more at the link 👇

New research by our Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer shows alcohol brands are using ‘health washing’, ‘green washing’ and ‘social washing’ claims on alcohol labels more than they were 10 years ago. Some alcoholic products sold in Australia contain as many as EIGHT virtue marketing claims like “low sugar” “eco-friendly” “fair trade certified” on a single can or bottle! The concern? This marketing tactic can make Australians perceive alcohol as a healthy or ethical purchase, when really alcohol consumption increases the risk of 7 different types of cancer. This includes cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, breast, and bowel. Read more about the research findings here: https://ccvic.org/4f5Gpcp

Good nutrition in childhood is critical for healthy growth and development. But it’s an uphill battle when processed food companies bombard our kids with at least 25 unhealthy ads daily. Currently, junk food advertising is allowed on trains, buses, trams, bus shelters and train stations across Victoria, as well as near some schools. We’re urging the Victorian Government to ensure the five new train stations opening next year as part of the Metro Tunnel project are free from junk food advertising. 📊 66% of Victorian parents surveyed were in favour of government action to remove unhealthy food and drink advertising on public transport, and 80% support removing it near schools. Visit https://ccvic.org/4d4PikU to sign the statement and lend your voice. With your help, we can set our kids up for a healthy future. #FoodFight #MetroTunnel

People aged 45 to 49 are now eligible to screen with the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and access a free screening test kit every two years. Make sure your patients aged 45 to 49 know they can join the free program by requesting their first bowel screen kit online at www.ncsr.gov.au/boweltest or by calling the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701. Healthcare professionals can also provide a kit to patients aged 45 to 74 through the Alternative Access Model. Visit the National Cancer Screening Register Healthcare Provider Portal to bulk order kits for your practice to issue directly to eligible patients. Having a kit on hand will help you explain what the test is, how important it is and demonstrate how to do it. Early detection of bowel cancer can save lives. For more information about these changes, visit https://ccvic.org/3KXhbPR Victorian Department of Health

In the last four years, national vaping rates have almost tripled. Vaping law reforms passed in Parliament this week will restrict the sale of vapes to pharmacies only, closing a loophole that has allowed easy supply of these products, particularly to young Australians. With an end to retail supply of non-therapeutic vapes, Quit stands ready to support Australians to quit nicotine addiction caused by vaping and smoking with a new national platform: quit.org.au, funded by the Federal Government. Ready to quit? Quit is ready to support you. At any age, at any stage of your quitting journey, visit quit.org.au or call 13 78 48. #Quit #QuitSmoking #QuitVaping #Quitline

Receiving an abnormal Cervical Screening Test result and/or being referred to colposcopy can be a confusing and stressful experience for many patients. Among people eligible for cervical screening there is often a low understanding of what the Cervical Screening Test looks for, which can contribute to greater confusion and stress if they receive an abnormal test result. To support patients who have received an abnormal Cervical Screening Test to understand their results and next steps, we have developed a suite of simple and informative resources, including fact sheets and videos. These resources have been developed with consumers and clinicians and address previously identified information and support needs of people with lived experience. Download and use the resources to help increase understanding and support attendance to follow-up: https://lnkd.in/gVhD7StM

Did you know alcohol causes 7 types of cancer, like liver, mouth, throat, and breast cancer? According to new research we’ve launched today, over 1 in 5 Victorian adults are not aware of the connection between the two. Meanwhile, 1 in 3 of us do not feel confident cutting back on alcohol as part of efforts to eat healthier. 👉 Explore our website for info on the benefits of cutting back on alcohol and handy resources to help limit your intake: https://ccvic.org/3VP3HvN

The Federal Government and Quit have announced a major expansion of national services to best support all Australians to quit smoking or vaping for good. The $10.35 million investment over three years includes a new national cessation hub, quit.org.au, and the redevelopment of My QuitBuddy app. The expanded digital services will support more Australians to quit smoking or vaping with the hub evolving to offer a more equitable, accessible and personalised online experience. If you or someone you know is ready to quit smoking or vaping, Quit is ready to support you. Visit quit.org.au for more information. #Quit #QuitSmoking #QuitVaping #GiveUpForGood #Quitline