Cancer Council Western Australia

R U OK? Day is an important day to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them. At Cancer Council WA, we are committed to staff wellbeing, providing a safe and healthy work environment, and building a culture that prioritises work-life balance and the important conversations surrounding mental health. Providing access to flexible work arrangements and encouraging open conversations are just two of the ways we work to support our valued employees.

Boost cancer screening participation in your practice with our accredited Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) activities. These activities help general practices identify and encourage eligible patients to participate in their chosen national cancer screening program: bowel, breast, or cervical. Enroll now to get started: https://bit.ly/4d0HkZk

Cancer Council WA staff were thrilled to join Chris Tallentire, MLA, Member for Thornlie to table a petition that calls on the state government to make changes to planning laws to limit unhealthy food outlets, including near schools.

Decisions to approve new drive-through fast-food outlets are routinely given despite strong community objection. The negative impact on community and children’s health of new drive-through fast food outlets opening next to homes and schools is not considered. Our report presents a review into the last six years of proposed drive-through fast-food outlets in WA and community objection to their development. Visit https://bit.ly/4cUBKYE to read the full report today.

We have an exciting opportunity for a health professional to join our Regional Education team! As Regional Education Officer, you will initiate and promote cancer prevention and early detection strategies for the Mid West region. Based in Geraldton this position is full-time or part-time (minimum 0.6FTE) and ongoing and entails travel within the Mid-West region. Applications close 5pm 27 September. Apply now at: https://bit.ly/3zcO3Sc.

Last month, we hosted an educational meeting for health professionals with 2024 Australians of the Year and co-medical directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO. This stimulating session provided insight into their research on immunotherapy which has revolutionised the treatment of advanced melanoma globally, significantly improving survival from the disease. We were joined by Professor Elin Gray and Professor Michael Millward of the Western Australia Melanoma Initiative (WAMI) to showcase the implementation of cell therapy for advanced melanoma in WA, and our Director of Cancer Prevention and Research Melissa Ledger, who emphasised the importance of skin cancer prevention advocacy. Visit https://lnkd.in/duFsrkd6 for some highlights from the evening. Thank you once again to Auspire - Australia Day Council WA for your collaboration

We have an exciting opportunity for an Aboriginal Projects Officer to join our Research and Projects team. As the Aboriginal Projects Officer, you will work closely with our Aboriginal Projects Coordinator to ensure cancer prevention and early detection strategies are delivered to Aboriginal communities and implement Cancer Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Based in Subiaco, this position is part-time (0.9FTE). Alternative FTE requests will be considered. Applications close Friday, 20 September 2024. Apply now at: https://bit.ly/4e67ISD.

This Father's Day, remind your father to complete his bowel cancer home test kit. Keeping up with bowel cancer screening every two years gives him a better chance of detecting bowel cancer early #DoTheTest To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/4bkFZfg

Thank you to our partner Auspire - Australia Day Council WA, and everyone who joined us at the Inspiring Australians' Breakfast on Wednesday morning. It was an honour to hear from Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, the duo named joint 2024 Australians of the Year for their groundbreaking work in melanoma treatment. With 95% of melanoma cases linked to UV exposure, Georgina and Richard are sharing the important message of taking sun protection seriously with our WA community.

We have welcomed a new study showing our SunSmart program is saving money as well as lives. The research confirms the SunSmart program is expected to prevent 300,0000 skin cancers, save 1000 lives and return $8.70 to the public purse for every dollar spent over the next 20 years. Today we stop and celebrate 20 years of success for our SunSmart program and the benefit the program will bring over the next 20 years with our funding partners Cancer Network WA and Healthway. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3T229N3.